A milestone of appreciated work has been reached for a team with a Hall County area's shelter for animals.
Earlier this week, the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA) veterinary team completed their 100,000th spay and neuter surgery at the shelter’s onsite veterinary center, the Christian-David Healthy Pet Clinic. This team provides affordable care to animals and their owners throughout the region.
The Humane Society will celebrate the veterinary team’s accomplishment during a reception on Friday, May 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the shelter. The event will include a brief presentation, meet and greets with current animals in need of homes and shelter alumni, and refreshments.
Dr. Michelle Cox, DVM, of the HSNEGA's clinical operations team said, “The Healthy Pet Clinic’s commitment to pets and their owners is a testament to our longstanding mission of helping animals and people live better together. Spaying and neutering not only provides health and behavioral benefits for animals, but it also reduces the number of healthy pets euthanized in shelters each year due to unprecedented lack of time, space or resources. Our team and shelter are deeply proud of this significant impact on reducing overpopulation, and elevating animal welfare in our community, through our services at the Healthy Pet Clinic.”
HSNEGA's center has provided affordable spay and neuter services, ongoing preventative care, including annual vaccinations, heartworm testing and treatment, discounted medication, along with dental care and nutritional guidance since 2018. The clinic has remained an affordable option for providing resources to the community, particularly spay and neuter surgery, as costs associated with pet ownership continue to grow.
Dr. Cook English performed surgery on the 100,000th surgery patient on Tuesday morning, a four-month-old puppy named Nina. Dr. English said, “Spaying and neutering is the most critical component in promoting animal welfare. Providing affordable veterinary care is vital in helping us improve the health of pets in our community. It’s a privilege to help lead this effort through our Healthy Pet Clinic and ongoing statewide initiatives.”
In addition to surgeries completed at the shelter’s clinic, HSNEGA also utilizes a mobile veterinary unit that expands their lifesaving reach to other parts of the state. Most recently, Dr. English provided vital spay and neuter services to dogs and cats awaiting adoption in Chattooga County as part of the shelter’s commitment to supporting at-risk shelters hit hardest by the overpopulation crisis.
The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia also provides vaccinations and microchipping throughout the year at free clinics for dogs and cats. Shelter president and executive director Juan Cueto said, “As we face an animal welfare crisis like never before, we will continue to find ways to make a positive difference in the lives of pets both in our care and in our community. We are grateful for the incredible support our shelter has received and look forward to celebrating our achievement with those who made reaching this milestone possible.”
The Healthy Pet Clinic is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only and spay/neuter surgeries are available Tuesday through Friday. A full list of services and pricing is available at https://humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org/healthy-pet-clinic/.
