GVAC In The News

"Vets for Street Pets" Clinic

Animal Crusaders held it’s first "Vets for Street Pets" Clinic which offered free vet care to animals of people on the streets.

GVAC joined Rev. Al Tysick of Our Place, 713 Johnson Street to implement a much needed free Street Veterinary Clinic which includes a free spay/neuter program for Victoria's street dogs and cats.

The first Clinic was held Monday, June 12, and was a huge success with 26 animals treated and 19 spay/neuter appointments scheduled. This clinic will be repeated in July and August 2006.

Dr. Kam Brar of LifeLine Animal Hospital on Shelbourne was in attendance, providing vaccinations, flea treatments, de-wormers and antibiotics if required. Along with these important services complimentary nail clipping and pet food was offered. GVAC strongly believes in this clinic to ensure that all animals in our community are kept healthy to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Amanda Farrell of the Times Colonist and Andrea Lavigne of Victoria News were both in attendance at this exciting event. Here are some highlights from their articles and memories of the day.

Dr. Kam Brar inspects six tiny kittens on a makeshift examining table made of a sheet of stainless steel placed on top of a freezer. The five-week-old fluff balls are too young to get vaccinated, but Brar checks their vital signs and deems them to be healthy.

The kittens are just a few of the animals Brar sees during Monday's Street Clinic for Street Pets at Our Place on Johnson Street. Outside of the temporary examination room, at least a dozen more pet owners are waiting for free veterinary services, including vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, and appointments for spaying and neutering.

Snoopy, a six-year-old Australian Red Heeler, is another animal who visited the clinic. Her owner, Drew Curry, saw an ad in the paper and cut it out to remind himself to come.

"I'm on disability and can't afford regular veterinary care unfortunately," said Curry, who adopted Snoopy from the SPCA two years ago.

Curry and Snoopy live in a van and are no strangers to tight finances. When the crunch is on, Snoopy always comes first.

"I'll do without before she does without," Curry said.

Many low-income or homeless people have pets, said Curry. He thinks it's because many of those who are on the streets with mental or physical disabilities can have trouble relating to other people and an animal provides much needed companionship. "They're a living, breathing thing. It's the difference between being alone and being lonely."

The clinic is funded by the Greater Victoria Animals'Crusaders. While the organization has been assisting low-income pet owners with veterinary costs for over 30 years,this is the first time they have put on a free clinic aimed at street pets.

"The idea of doing something to provide assistance to street[animals] like this has been talked about for years," said Rick Sargent, a member of the group.

"[It's] an opportunity to provide some simple services that they would never get that your dog or cat would get as a matter of routine."

"For some of the inner city family that relationship they have with their pet, is the healthiest relationship they have," said volunteer co-ordinator Bob Frank.

Sargent hopes the partnership will lend the animal group more legitimacy in the eyes of the street people.

"One of the problems is street people are very skeptical to come forward," he said, citing a fear that City of Victoria animal control officers will swoop down and take away the animals.

Sargent said it behooves the community to back this initiative, as it will reduce unwanted puppies or kittens and reduce the transmission of parasites.

"That to me is important to me as a citizen that owns dogs," he said. "It helps us all."

Curry took Snoopy to the free street veterinary clinic held Monday at Our Place for a flea treatment.

They've lived together for the last two years in a van - parking overnight in various spots around Victoria. The six-year-old Australian red heeler is his constant companion.

"She's brought a lot of happiness to me," Curry said.

But Curry said his $710 disability cheque does little to provide for extras like a trip to the vet.

"There are things that both the dog and I do without," he said, adding, "I try to give her the best food I can and the best quality of life I can."