Clinicians that care

DR. ANNE SCHOLL-MEALEY

isn’t the only DVM offering up her craft for the benefit of the pets of the homeless. Through grants or on their own, here are a few other veterinarians who help indigent pet owners:

DR. SUZANNA BROWN of Mays Landing, N.J., works with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission to hold a monthly clinic to give physical exams, rabies vaccinations, flea treatments and grooming if necessary, along with a collar and ID tag, to pets of the homeless and those below the national poverty level in the area.

DR. RONALD CHAIKIN of Brooklyn, N.Y., got a grant from Feeding Pets of the Homeless to care for the approximately 40 pets of homeless and low-income families that come to his clinic each week.

DR. JOHN E’ESOPO of Dedham, Mass., provides basic care and physical exams to the pets of the homeless at a local homeless shelter.

DR. RUSSELL HACKLER of Castro Valley, Calif., received a grant from Feeding Pets of the Homeless for his costs in treating a dog rescued from a pit bull fighting ring by a homeless woman. The neutered male was suffering from a yeast infection and would have died if left untreated.

DR. LISA LEVIN of Phoenix, Ariz., is working to provide wellness/preventive medical care, in addition to minor medical/surgical care, for an estimated population of 50 to 75 animals belonging to homeless persons living at or very near the downtown homeless shelter. The volunteers at the homeless shelter have offered their time to help and if necessary provide transportation to the clinic if more intense medical pet care is needed.

DR. MARCIA MARTIN of Palm Beach, Fla., cares for homeless pets at Pets in Need Clinic of Palm Beach.

DR. DAVID SLOCUM of Vancouver, Wash., runs a health clinic for pets of the homeless and low-income families at Share House, a local homeless shelter. He and his wife see approximately 20 to 40 pets each session.

DR. KEVIN STOOTHOFF of Ocala, Fla., works with two local agencies to give examinations, vaccinations and minor medical treatment to pets of the indigent each week in Ocala.

DR. CATHY TUCKER, a retired relief veterinarian in Spokane, Wash., runs a weekly clinic at a local Christian mission. She sees up to 20 animals a week, providing basic care and physical examinations.

STUDENTS AT WESTERN UNIVERSITY’S VETERINARY COLLEGE have started their own Feeding Pets of the Homeless collection site on campus and use one of the school’s mobile medical units to offer free veterinary care at a local homeless shelter.