Grant provides funds for MOAS’ free vaccination clinic

By Lee Short on Wednesday, February 28, 2024

By Lee Short

The Oglethorpe Echo

  • Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
    Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
  • Inside the trailer unit the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter will be using for their free vaccine clinic. The unit is equipped with a surgical light, examination table and more. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
    Inside the trailer unit the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter will be using for their free vaccine clinic. The unit is equipped with a surgical light, examination table and more. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
  • The trailer unit the vaccine clinic will operate out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
    The trailer unit the vaccine clinic will operate out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)
    More information regarding the MOAS vaccine clinic.

    More information regarding the MOAS vaccine clinic.

    Up to 1,000 Oglethorpe County pets will receive free vaccines in Meson Park on Saturday through the MOAS Underserved Animal Project, which is focusing on the county due to its higher poverty rate and size. 

    “It’s a massive area where our low-cost services here are a bit harder for people to access because of our location versus folks that are here in Madison County,” said Shaina Knight, MOAS grants coordinator.

    Pets will receive vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, deworming for some common intestinal parasites and other preventable diseases that can affect pets. In addition, a free dose of flea prevention will be given.

    MOAS announced the free clinic after being awarded a grant from the Banfield Foundation. 

    MOAS has held low-cost vaccine clinics, but this is the first that offers free vaccinations. 

    “There’s a huge need in our community,” Knight said. “And there’s a huge gap in care for animals.”

    This clinic is intended to be a soft launch for future MOAS projects. Knight said she hopes to receive sponsorship for more services, such as microchipping. The MOAS staff also hopes to bring attention to increases in pet surrenders, overcrowding and funding needs. 

    Knight said owners often feel pressure to surrender their pets because of financial factors. Owners may be in situations where they have to prioritize feeding and providing for their families over pet expenses and responsibilities.

    “It’s generally not because the owner doesn’t want to take care of their animal,” Knight said. “It’s usually because they have limited resources.”

    In addition, MOAS director Erica Hendrix said surrendering can also be due to a lack of education on pet ownership.

    “This week, I’ve managed to get two people to keep their animals rather than bring them and surrender them after being able to just give them simple education over stuff,” Hendrix said.

    For example, Hendrix has explained to owners an animal may be having behavioral issues because they aren’t spayed or neutered. She also provides education on the importance of having pets vaccinated, especially if they are kept primarily outdoors.

    “There’s little things that we can do to keep (owners) from bringing them here,” Hendrix said.