Surgery Center/ Vaccine Clinics

A modern surgery clinic adjacent to the shelter kennels was opened in the late 1980s and offers neutering, spaying, and vaccine clinics. According to Harry D. Brown III, shelter executive director, approximately 2,000 animals are treated at the surgery center each year by veterinarians from the VCA (Veterinary Clinics of America), Detwiler Animal Hospital in Reading, and the VCA Cacoosing Animal Hospital in Wernersville.

When you adopt your new pet from the Animal Rescue League, the surgery center provides free spaying/neutering/micro-chipping and an Advantage flea treatment.

Once a month, several groups who rescue cats, including the Fairchild Foundation, use the Animal Rescue League’s surgery center. They bring in their own veterinarians and staff as part of their “trap, neuter and release” program to help control the feral cat population.

One day every other month, our Litter Ridder program (spearheaded by the ARL’ s Tracie Graham) offers spay/neuter services for low-income families and also offers low-cost spay/neuter services for stray and feral cats. In addition to these services, every animal is vaccinated for rabies and distemper. In 2008, we held 6 clinics and spayed 298 female cats and neutered 266 male cats. This program is run strictly by donations and is staffed entirely by volunteers. The ARL would like to thank the following veterinarians who volunteered their time for these clinics: Dr. Jill Kulig, Dr. Theresa Woodard, Dr. Corey DiLella, Dr. Mary Helen Staruch, Dr. Trina Russell, Dr. Janet Jones, Dr. Jean Miller, Dr. Karen Fox, and Dr. Mahendra Kapu. Also a great big thanks to the veterinary technicians and office helpers: Kim, Rhonda, Shelley, Joyce, Alysa, Esther, Chris, Marcy, Renee, Alison, Vicky, and Shannon.

Low-cost vaccine clinics are offered at the surgery center once a month, April – October, on the fourth Saturday of the month from 1:00pm until 2:30pm.