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Volunteers move quickly to tie tent poles and ropes against the strong wind. These tents serve as medical rooms for furry companions passing through for veterinary services and animal care at a pop-up clinic in Athens at the end of September.
Why It Matters: The cost of veterinary services is rising across the country, making it difficult for low-income families, even college students, paying for your pet’s health care.
At the beginning of each month, Athenians flock to various locations around the city for a pop-up clinic, run by Lisa Milot, a professor of cat welfare law at the University of Georgia and director of Athenspets , a volunteer 501(c)(3). ) animal welfare group at Athens-Clarke County Animal Services.
The pop-up clinic brings together UGA’s Law Practicum in Animal Welfare students and Athenspets volunteers to provide vaccinations and microchipping.
This month’s event is in the parking lot off 410 McKinley Drive. While people can register online, it’s also open for walk-ins, as Milot strives to make animal health care as accessible as possible.
“There was another woman, who, when we told her [Athenspets] he could pay for his dog to be killed, on his knees… He was very happy because he still had these issues that he knew were related to the fact that he was still it is healthy,” said Milot.
Keeping the Heart Down
For Milot, being able to see the impact of providing animal care, such as petting or bathing, at no cost, makes all the difference when considering the welfare of animals in society – as well as saving Congestion is low in animal shelters.
Keeping animal fertility low can prevent overcrowding in habitats. Athenspets has served more than 1,000 animals this year at the shelter, and has euthanized approximately 508 animals in the community. However, they are struggling to provide services to low-income residents in Athens due to the accessibility, and rising costs of veterinary health care.
Americans spent an estimated amount $38 billion in health care and related services for pets by 2023and is expected to continue to increase by 8% by the end of 2024.
Milot sees that people are less likely to donate or fund the costs for procedures such as spay or neuter.
Milot says: “I think it’s a problem for many people, they don’t see it in front of them.” For a medical issue, for example, people will readily donate, whereas for spay neuters, it is more difficult to see how that donation saves a life – but it does. ”
In Athens alone, trips to the vet can add up quickly with spay/neuter surgeries averaging $170, vaccinations about $17 per shot, and physical exams about $46.. For many low-income residents, these costs are unaffordable, especially if something more serious happens to their pet.
Having events like pop-up clinics that offer affordable health care services makes pet care a breeze.
Animal Health Care Costs
Karlie Reed, a law student at the University of Georgia and a volunteer at the pop-up clinic this month, decided to help not only because she loves being around animals, but because she understands firsthand the importance of giving Animal health care is affordable.
One of Reed’s dogs was diagnosed with cancer, which left Reed to pay $4,000 for his dog’s chemotherapy. One of her dogs had ACL tears in both knees, costing $9,000 to repair. Reed paid for everything out of pocket because he didn’t have home insurance.
Reed laughs, “I thought insurance was a waste of money, it’s not.”
Athenspets provides information to residents about various animal welfare programs, such as pet insurance plans from $25 to $50 per month. However, even that can seem like a problem for many low-income families.
Athens resident Laura Rueter is a frequent visitor to pop-up events. On this previous occasion, Rueter brought her dog, Baby, for vaccinations. He will never want to give up his dog, but he also knows that health care is not cheap.
“When you don’t have a lot of money, but you still want to take care of your pets, you know… So [The pop-up clinic] it helps us save pets,” said Reuter.
Mary Ryan Howarth is a fourth year journalism student.
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