Jefferson County Humane Society animal clinic opens
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WINTERSVILLE -- Pet owners looking for lower health-care costs for their dogs or cats now can go to the Jefferson County Humane Society animal clinic at 81 Talbott Drive.
The Humane Society purchased the former Red Cross building late last summer and invested more than $100,000 in renovations and medical equipment.
Sally Wehr, humane society president, said the clinic has three examination rooms, manned by two veterinarians -- Dr. Paul Nortker and Dr. Jay Votaw. Wehr said the humane society is looking to add a third veterinarian.
The clinic also includes a lab with a blood analyzer and X-ray machine and ultrasound machines. There is an animal holding room for dogs and cats prior to and after surgery.
Wehr said the clinic has been open for a month and the telephone has "been ringing off the hook."
The clinic offers surgery to spay and neuter dogs and cats, physical examinations of pets and dental cleanings, in addition to routine vaccinations. On Tuesday, 38 spay and neuter surgeries on dogs and cats were performed at the clinic.
The clinic is open weekdays, with hours of 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Wehr said pet owners can make an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome. The clinic will be open one Saturday a month.
"We believe the humane society is meeting the needs of the community for a low-cost clinic," Wehr said.
Casey Robinson, humane society director of operations, said some pet owners are struggling financially.
"Just because you are struggling doesn't mean you don't take care of your animals. We are giving the community the tools they need to take care of their pets," Robinson said.
The human society will continue to operate its medical program at the county's animal shelter located at the county airport.
The humane society has an agreement with the county commissioners to operate the animal shelter, and state law says the county can only operate an animal shelter for dogs.
The humane society provides services and treatment to both cats and dogs.
"We are bringing cats and dogs here from the shelter (for treatment). We still treat animals at the shelter, but we have more room and equipment (at the clinic)," she said.
An animal-care specialist checks each cat or dog entering the animal shelter.
Wehr noted the humane society operates on donations from the public.
She said the new animal clinic has been "blessed" with grant money to allow the purchase of expensive equipment.
Wehr said the humane society has plans to take its services on the road, traveling to rural areas of the county for vaccination clinics and others services, and officials have been in contact with volunteer fire departments to use fire stations as sites for the mobile clinics.
"There are people who may not have transportation to come to the animal clinic," she said.
Wehr said the human society has invested more than $200,000 in the site, including the purchase price, renovations and purchase of equipment. An architect was hired for the plans and a contractor did most of the work, she noted.
The clinic employs, in addition to the two veterinarians, two veterinarian technicians, one veterinarian assistant and two receptionists.
The clinic also has a private room for pet owners to spend the last minutes with their dog or cat before they are euthanized because of medical conditions.
Donations to the humane society can be mailed to P.O. Box 233, Steubenville, OH 43952.
The clinic's phone number is (740)792-4350.