Animal Samaritans Break Ground on New Vet Clinic

Thirty years in the making, Animal Samaritans SPCA breaks ground on a new veterinary clinic on Feb. 24 (National Spay Day USA) in Thousand Palms.

During the past five years, Animal Samaritans has experienced an average annual growth of nearly 15 percent. “The demand for affordable spay and neuter services keeps growing,” says Executive Director Fred Saunders. “For years now we have operated at full capacity. Now more than ever we need this new facility. Our expansion will be a formidable resource in the fight to reduce the number of unwanted, neglected, and euthanized animals in our community.”

The 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony takes place on the Coachella Valley Animal Campus on the site of its future facility, adjacent to Riverside County Animal Services, 72050 Petland Place.

The energy-efficient, 7,360-square-foot veterinary clinic will be loaded with state-of-the art equipment is being financed by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Animal Samaritans will repay the foundation with funds it raises through its capital campaign and naming opportunities, which range from $5,000 for recovery kennels to $500,000 for the lobby, reception, and scheduling areas. A tax-deductible gift of $2 million would name the veterinary clinic.

The organization has secured more than 30 percent of the money from previous fundraisers and several donors who purchased naming rights to rooms, including the pharmacy, lab, and dog and cat overnight areas.

Last year Animal Samaritans spayed and neutered a record 8,352 cats and dogs, and gave more than $97,000 in subsidized veterinary care to low-income pet owners and free services performed on feral cats.

In addition to being the only low-cost animal welfare clinic of its kind in the Coachella Valley, Animal Samaritans operates a “no kill” animal shelter out of its current facility. With the completion of its new animal vet clinic, the organization will continue to operate its shelter on Ramon Road.

The new clinic will more than double Animal Samaritans’ annual spay/neuter volume to 20,000 per year. Additionally, low-cost vaccinations will leap from 24,000 to 40,000 annually. The clinic will expand other low-cost services, including pet microchipping, wellness exams, basic dental care, and minor surgeries.
 
The nonprofit Animal Samaritans SPCA is committed to improving the lives of animals and people. It seeks to eliminate the suffering and abuse of homeless and unwanted animals. Programs and services include prevention through humane education, low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter, low-cost vaccinations, animal sheltering, and pet adoptions.

Information: (760) 343-4908, www.animalsamaritans.org