Celebrate the opening of the new clinic at the Open House on June 20, 2009

By Lori Skaggs Volunteer News Writer

Please join the staff and volunteers of Shelter Outreach Services of Ohio, an nonprofit vet clinic, this Saturday, June 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a Community Outreach Open House. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Children will have the opportunity to learn what it means to adopt an animal by “adopting” a stuffed toy. They will then learn how to keep their pets healthy as a vet tech performs a health exam on the child’s new family member. Finally, children will be able to make a gift bag to take home to their dog or cat. Adults will have the opportunity to ask questions from the veterinary staff and pick up information brochures on a number of companion animal topics.

Anyone who is currently involved in the rescue community is also invited to come to the Open House, tour the clinic and learn more about how SOS of Ohio can assist them with their rescue efforts.

When SOS of Ohio opened its doors more than two years ago, it started as a MASH style unit that could travel into rural areas of Ohio and provide much needed spay/neuter, vaccination and health care services, all from portable equipment that could be set up anywhere there was a climate controlled building with running water.

While SOS of Ohio continues to travel to rural areas, there is a new dimension to the organization, a stationary clinic is strategically located in the middle of a corridor in Columbus, linking a number of low income neighborhoods as well as some of the local rescues and animal shelters. The clinic is located just ½ mile west of Interstate I-70 on State Route 161 at 691 East Dublin Granville Road and is currently open Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and one Saturday per month. As demand for services increases, SOS of Ohio will expand its hours as needed. Appointments are necessary except for feral cats in traps.

The clinic is based on the Humane Alliance program and is dedicated to providing affordable, high quality spay and neuter services for dogs, cats and rabbits.

Dr. Mel deHaan, Medical Director of Shelter Outreach Services of Ohio, has an open door policy for feral cats. As long as a feral cat is brought into the clinic by 3:00 p.m. on a day it is open, it will be spayed or neutered that very same day. This decision was made in order to reduce the stress of being handled for unsocialized cats.

Everyone at SOS of Ohio looks forward to meeting you on Saturday.