Additional spay, neuter clinics slated for this year
The dedication of area animal advocates and the professional staff of a mobile veterinary unit made it possible Tuesday for 50 cats and dogs in Logan County to receive spay and neuter procedures, and for their pet owners to take advantage of the low-cost clinic.
Local volunteers, from the left, Jan Cooper, Cathy Christian, Brenda Mortimore, Gary Buttery, Johni Whitaker and Arleen Dalrymple assist with the Rascal Unit’s mobile clinic spay and neuter clinic Tuesday at the Logan County Fairgrounds, includ- ing comforting patients before the dogs were picked up by their owners. EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR
The Rascal Unit based out of Dublin made its first stop of the year at the Logan County Fairgrounds for the clinic, where volunteers were staged inside the Grange building to take incoming canine and feline patients, and then procedures took place on board the mobile animal hospital.
Veterinarian Dr. Michelle Gonzalez, who runs the Rascal Unit complete with three mobile units, along with the Rascal Animal Hospital facility in Dublin, said the units travel throughout many areas in the state by partnering with local humane organizations and shelters.
“There are many volunteers and local individuals who help to make this possible. We’re appreciative of everyone’s assistance to have a clinic today that is running smoothly and is providing service to so many patients.
“We’ll have a busy day here at the clinic, but with the number of procedures we do today, we are able to keep our costs down, and pass that along to our clients. We are able to provide high-quality services while also keeping our overhead low and managing our expenses well.”
Volunteer Jan Cooper of Bellefontaine, who also is involved on the Rascal Animal Hospital board of directors, and a crew of friends with a passion for caring for animals said they were happy to help to with the logistics of setting up the clinic and running patient intake and pick up, including take turns to comfort cats and dogs awaiting their owners.
“We’re so appreciative that we can offer this program here in Logan County,” Cooper said. “There is such a need here, especially now that our humane society is no longer in existence in the county.”
To that end, the Rascal Unit plans to offer additional low-cost spay and neuter clinics at the Logan County Fairgrounds an additional four times this year, scheduled for: March 24, May 19, Aug. 4 and Sept. 22.
Prices for cat spay is $50; cat neuter is $40; and prices for dogs depend on the dog’s weight, starting at $65 for dog spay and $55 for dog neuter for patients up to 20 pounds. To sign up and for additional prices and clinic details, visit rascalunit.com or the Rascal Unit’s Facebook page, or e-mail [email protected].
Cooper said the Logan County commissioners donated the fairgrounds space for the activities Tuesday, and also for the upcoming clinics this year. In addition, fundraisers are planned to make these clinics possible, with details to be announced.
County dog tags also were sold at the clinic site Tuesday, prior to the Friday, Jan. 31 deadline for registering dogs this year. Dog tags can be purchased online at http://co.logan.oh.us/154/Dog-License.