WENATCHEE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY ASKS FOR COMMUNITY’S HELP IN REACHING VETERINARY CLINIC EXPANSION GOAL

WENATCHEE, WA - Something new is on the horizon for shelter animals at Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) as a long awaited veterinary clinic expansion nears completion. Located next door to the shelter, the clinic will be a fully functioning veterinary clinic for shelter animals and a low cost spay/neuter option for income qualified pet owners.  

WVHS has made great strides in saving lives. Less than a decade ago, humane euthanasia was a heartbreaking, daily reality at WVHS. Since 2014, WVHS has implemented life-saving programs such as Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) for free roaming community cats, a behavior modification program and an in-house medical team. Today, the shelter’s live release rate is near 97%, compared to less than 60% in 2012.  

Saving lives involves costly medical care.  Each year, nearly 5,000 animals find their way to Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.  Even healthy pets require vaccinations and spay & neuter. WVHS ensures all shelter pets receive the medical attention they need to give them a second chance.  In the past, the cost of outsourcing expensive medical procedures may have meant the difference between life and death.

To reduce rising costs and increase life-saving efforts, WVHS began its own clinic in 2016 by repurposing a small, 320 sq. ft. grooming room into a tiny clinic with one veterinarian and one assistant. Today, WVHS employs six clinic staff including two full-time veterinarians, specializing in shelter medicine.  The tiny clinic has quickly outgrown its space, and plans for expansion have been in the works for two years.

With the help of consultants, the decision was made to repurpose the building next to WVHS, formerly home to Club Pet, into a 4,500 sq. ft. clinic with two examination rooms, four surgery tables, an X-Ray machine, lab area, ICU, and three recovery suites. The space will also include seven kennels, a training arena and a “Real Life Room” to help treat and train dogs in the shelter behavior modification program. 

“We couldn’t let COVID stop us,” says WVHS Executive Director, Dawn Davies. “Pets don’t stop reproducing because of a global pandemic. At this moment, there are over 300 pets on the wait list for a spay/neuter surgery. We need to alter them as soon as possible to avoid hundreds of unplanned litters.”

Construction began in July and is on schedule for completion in early spring 2021. 

“Thanks to generous benefactors, careful no-debt planning, grants from ASPCA and PetSmart Charities, donations from friends, volunteers and supporters, the WVHS Board of Directors were able to approve $950,000 toward the $1.2 million dollar project,” Davies said about the project. “But, $250,000 is still needed to purchase necessary equipment such as surgery tables and lamps, lobby furnishings, recovery kennels and supplies.”

“We are continually humbled by the support of our community who sees the value in these services.” Davies continues, “We have no doubt that we will reach our goal of opening the doors to provide both medical care and expand the low-cost Spay and Neuter program, a proven solution to pet overpopulation and homelessness.”

If you would like to donate and help open the doors to this life-saving program, please visit: www.wenatcheehumane.org/clinic.

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About WVHS

Founded in 1967, the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society is a private, non-profit organization with a mission to serve Chelan and Douglas Counties through education, protection and pet adoptions. WVHS cares for displaced pets, rescues injured and lost animals, investigates animal cruelties, and finds homes for orphaned animals. WVHS engages in a Pets for Life philosophy by providing low cost spay/neuter programs, periodic vaccination clinics, and hosting pet food assistance banks to income-qualified residents throughout its community. By caring for pets and the people who love them, WVHS is creating a humane society in the Wenatchee Valley. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or more information on how you can help, visit wenatcheehumane.org, email wvhs@wenatcheehumane.org or call (509) 662-9577.