Pets Of Denver's Homeless To Be Treated At Pop-Up Vet Clinic

DENVER, CO – Volunteer veterinarians will host a pop-up animal clinic this weekend in Denver with free care for pets of the homeless.

On Sunday, July 15, the Colorado Convention Center, where the American Veterinary Medical Assn. Annual Meeting is taking place this week, will become an on-site street clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fort Collins emergency veterinarian Jon Geller, who will presenting a talk called “Street Medicine” at the convention, says he is amazed when he sees the human-animal bond often shared by homeless people and their pets.

“I have continued to be impressed on how much harder homeless folks make their lives by owning a pet,” said Geller. “These people have a very strong bond with their pets. They face added challenges of using public transportation, finding housing, working a job, even going to a doctor's appointment because they can't leave their pets at ‘home.’

"On the other hand, for many of our homeless, their pets provide a purpose to their lives where none would exist otherwise,” he said.

Geller organizes popup vet clinics with other vet volunteers —calling themselves the Street Dog Coalition—set up clinics, often near shelters, in cities throughout Colorado. They have started similar programs in other states, the American Veterinary Medical Association says.

The popup clinic will offer basic exams and preventive care, including vaccinations and microchipping. Minor medical problems, such as skin and ear allergies and arthritis, will be looked at. For spays, neuters and other surgeries, pet owners will be given vouchers or referrals to local veterinarians who donate or offer reduced cost procedures.

At the convention, Geller hopes to reach other veterinarians at the convention who might want to organize local clinics in the states where they are licensed. He also hopes to create "a new type of pet shelter that is embedded in, or adjoins, facilities such as domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, addiction/recovery centers and hospitals," a press release said. Often pet owners will not enter these programs unless their pet can be nearby.

“We see a lot of interest from veterinary students, some of whom are looking at starting new teams when they graduate," said Dr. Geller. "We know there are many people who want to take care of their pets, but can’t afford it. Our profession is beginning to answer these needs and fill the gap.”

Free Veterinary Pop-up Clinic

• Sunday, July 15 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Colorado Convention Center
• 700 14th St, Denver

Image via Neal McNamara, Patch.com

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