Today's spotlight is about a local spay/neuter program turned full service non-profit vet clinic. The name: P.E.T.S. standing for Preventing Euthanasia Through Sterilization. The mission: "Provide high-quality, low-cost spays and neuters, veterinary services, and community-focused programs in a kind, nonjudgmental environment to ensure every pet has access to and can remain in a loving home." The vision for the future: “No Pet Left Behind”.
With passion, hard work, and support from the community a local resident Leslie Harrelson has built the first non-profit full service vet clinic in North Texas. It serves as a place for all cats and dogs to receive the health care they need to live long happy lives with their owners.
Here is a little history from the P.E.T.S. website:
P.E.T.S. Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic was born of the inspiration, energy, and dedication of our founder, President and CEO Leslie Harrelson. After working with canine rescue for five years, Leslie realized that “there had to be a way to shut off the faucet instead of just standing at the bottom with buckets.” Industry research proves there is no way to ever build enough cages to accommodate animal overpopulation—spay and neuter is the only solution. Leslie decided to put her resources and energy towards spay and neuter programs to combat pet overpopulation.
In 2006, Leslie went on local TV and announced that she would be hosting a free spay and neuter clinic through the Wichita County Humane Society, inviting pet owners in the community to call her if they were interested. Interest was so overwhelming that she had to recruit family members and friends just to return calls. She filled a spiral notebook with people’s names and stories, and as she raised the money she called the ones she felt needed help the most. Ultimately, she fixed 91 animals that year.
In 2007, Leslie decided to host another spay and neuter clinic, now for a very small fee. This time she partnered with TCAP from Denton, TX, and set up a clinic in the fellowship Hall of her grandmother’s church. At this time, many of the people who would become her longest-serving volunteers and future board members saw her on TV and contacted her to help out with the “Lifesaver Clinic.” In two clinics, this growing local movement fixed 150 animals and recognized that the Wichita Falls community had a pressing need for a permanent low-cost spay and neuter clinic to combat pet overpopulation. All of the people that helped at Lifesavers promised to help if Leslie started a permanent clinic, so she got to work. They are all still with her and we are still here.
In June 2007 Leslie held her first “Fur-Raiser,” a steak dinner and silent auction benefit. With those funds, she opened P.E.T.S. one month later in July 2007. We did 15 surgeries and 12 walk-ins. Leslie would go home after every clinic and revamp something, sometimes everything. Subsequent Fur-Raisers purchased more surgical equipment, office equipment, and clinic improvements. Grant funding provided us with a van, computers, software, and other essentials. Nine years later, 40+ surgeries and 120+ walk-ins are standard and we call it an easy day. We have come a long way and have much to be proud of.*
The original building at Berends Landing.
Since opening PETS has offered low cost spay and neuters, low cost vaccines/heartworm tests, low cost preventative medications (heartworm, flea and tick) and free nail trims. Vastly improving the lives of pets in our area. The team also started offering programs such as Chain-Off , which built fences and gave dog houses to pets in need, as well as the PETS Express, which got shelter dogs a ride out of the south and up north where they could be adopted. With such success in WF in recent years PETS was able to open 3 more satellite clinics to help pets in the surrounding areas of Graham, Amarillo and Lubbock.
As of November 16th, 2020 P.E.T.S. has fully transitioned over to the new full service veterinary clinic on Central Freeway.
While offering the same low cost services as before PETS will now be able to offer state of the art diagnostics (xray/ultrasound/full laboratory services), dentistry, wellness exams, a full surgical suite (for any type of surgery in addition to their spay/neuters), a 24/7 Emergency Clinic,
as well as Televet Services.
We moved here in 2017 and in 2018 went to PETS to get my first heartworm test. I was so impressed from check in, to my test. to check out their team has been PAWSOME!
While working on this post we got the PAW-mazing opportunity to speak with Miss Leslie about the new clinic and how it went from dream to reality. It started with a year of planning, two years of fundraising and a year of building to be able to open. The spark came from seeing owners needing further vet care but not having access to it for what ever reason it may be. Leslie said " We had always helped pet owners with vet care beyond our scope but resources are and continue to be very limited. We knew we could stretch our assistance further by doing it ourselves and sending pet owners away for resolvable issues because we were just a spay/neuter clinic was taking a toll. Economic euthanasia is just as tragic as pet overpopulation and we believe keeping pets in the homes that love them by ensuring all pets have access to vet care is just as important as preventing unwanted litters. Both keep pets out of shelters and off the euthanasia lists." This perspective is a breath of fresh air. Even before the pandemic everyone had their share of trouble but the pandemic amplified it and unfortunately vet care was out of reach for some. Pets is creating a great place for pets to get well and stay with their families.
In closing Leslie had this to say "Our vets are already full service vets just trained in high volume s/n but the transition was quite a leap for our staff. We went from only doing 15 things to offering every service under the sun. The learning curve was steep but exciting and the team really loves all the ways we can help pets now."
At the old clinic as well as the new they are averaging 42 s/n surgeries daily. At the old clinic (prepandemic) they would see 90 walk ins for preventative (Vaccines and deworming). With the strain of the pandemic right now they are averaging 58 preventative care appointments and 15 vet exams per day. Which is absolutely amazing that they are able to do so much with so many restrictions. I can't wait to hear how many they do once the pandemic restrictions are lifted. It will be booming again.
We thank Leslie and the entire PETS team for working so hard to help pets stay with the families that they love by offering such a range of servies at an affordable price. Keep up the great work guys!
Smooches,
LNP
*Quote or Information taken from the PETS Website.
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