NORFOLK, Va. — Author's note: The video above is on file from June 29, 2021.
Animals inside the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center and Portsmouth Humane Society are in need of a home and healthcare. They said access to care is getting harder.
"Right now, you're waiting a week, two weeks for an appointment. A lot of the emergency clinics, they're shutting down, having staffing issues as well," said Michelle Dosson, the bureau manager for the Norfolk Animal Care Center.
"We have to wait a very long time to get all of our animals altered which creates a roadblock to placing them in adoptive homes," said Alison Fechino, the executive director of Portsmouth Humane Society.
Both shelters rely on contracted veterinary services. Since they experience the same needs, the Norfolk Animal Care Center and the Portsmouth Humane Society decided to start a new veterinary clinic inside the Norfolk shelter.
The new clinic for shelter animals is set to increase the amount of accessible, affordable care. It's set to open in February of 2022 and will offer spay and neutering services, as well as other types of care.
“Our contracted vets and local clinic partners have helped us save lives, but access to care is always an obstacle without a veterinary team on staff,” said Portsmouth Humane Society Executive Director Alison Fechino.
Located in the city space across from the Norfolk Animal Care Center at 5585 Sabre Road, the clinic will only offer services for the animals in the two shelters for now. They hope to expand their services to the public in the future.
“I think this a great example of collaboration and trailblazing new processes for services and programs that meet the needs of your shelter and your community, and we are excited to increase our services,” said Dosson.