By Marisa McTighe, Assistant Social Media & Distribution Editor
From 3 to 5 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month, The Doney Memorial Pet Clinic in Seattle provides a free veterinary clinic for the pets of homeless and low-income people.
The clinic collects donations of food and supplies from several outside sources, and they provide professional veterinary services to the best of their ability for whatever types of animals have been brought in.
These services and supplies are all provided free of charge to pet owners.
Students from Melissa Kehl’s veterinary assistant class have gotten involved with the pet clinic by collecting supplies such as blankets, toys, food or leashes.
Around 10 students passed the supplies off to Kehl, who then took it to the pet clinic’s storage. Students were not allowed to volunteer at the pet clinic, but Kehl, fulfilling the criteria of being both over 18 years old and a veterinarian, could.
“It felt good when I donated and that I made a difference in someone’s life,” said junior Sarah Cooper, who donated cat and dog food.
Kehl estimated that around 40 pet owners came to seek assistance during the time it’s open.
“The people were so appreciative,” Kehl said. “I think [within] two hours I probably got 15 hugs. … People often said they feed their pet before they feed themselves.”
Kehl plans to participate in the pet clinic once a month. She also plans on traveling to a Native American reservation in San Carlos, Arizona, in July to help care for pets for a week.
“You go out to people’s homes — sometimes their homes are truly in the dump … and you go and you help them with their animals,” Kehl said.
Students who would like to donate to the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic should contact Kehl at mkehl@vashonsd.org.