GEORGETOWN, Del. - In a move to improve access to veterinary care for low-income pet owners in Sussex County, Humane Animal Partners hosted its first free wellness clinic at the CHEER Community Center in Georgetown on Thursday.
Patrick Carroll, CEO of Humane Animal Partners, emphasized the organization's commitment to community outreach, stating, "We've kind of learned, and we've done some research to show that what we need to do in Sussex County is come out into the community."
The clinic offered wellness exams, vaccinations, and food and treats at no cost.
Leigh McKinley, director of the Rehoboth Beach Adoption Center, highlighted the impact of these services.
"To be able to offer them these for free means a lot to them, to us, and we are just so blessed to be able to offer this to the community," she said.
The convenience of the clinic attracted numerous pet owners, including Theresa Zaorski, who brought her two dogs, Mickey and Milo. She expressed her appreciation, saying, "I think it's wonderful because it's highly needed. We have dogs that, you know, are not getting vaccinated because people can't afford it, and it's just [a] wonderful thing to have." "I mean, my vet is even 45 minutes away, and I work nights, so for me to schedule to get up early and go there is crazy."
The wellness clinic successfully served 22 animals. The organization plans to extend its reach by setting up more free wellness clinics across various communities in Sussex County throughout the year, aiming to make veterinary care more accessible to those in need.