Open House Ministries to host free wellness clinic for pets of the homeless

Humane Society and WellHaven Pet Health partner with Open House to provide free services on Feb. 27  

VANCOUVER — Open House Ministries in downtown Vancouver will host an event to lend a hand to both the homeless and their furry friends. On Thu., Feb. 27, in partnership with The Humane Society of Southwest Washington and WellHaven Pet Health, Open House will run a pet clinic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Members of the homeless community gather at Open House Ministries every year for the annual block party, which often times also includes another free pet clinic. Photo courtesy of Open House Ministries
Members of the homeless community gather at Open House Ministries every year for the annual block party, which often times also includes another free pet clinic. Photo courtesy of Open House Ministries

“Our family resource center was built so Open House Ministries could offer space to partners and people in need in our community,” said Reneé Stevens, executive director of Open House Ministries, in a release. “We have a space that’s easy to access for homeless pets and their owners, and the Humane Society is a great partner.”

As part of the clinic, pet owners will receive free veterinary care for their animals and more information on where they can find help from Open House and other NGOs in Clark County. 

The event will be at the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Family Resource Center, which the organization opened in 2018. The center was designed to house Open House staff as well as provide a space for events such as the clinic.

Open House currently serves around 100 people every night through their donation-run shelter. These people are often made up of close to 40 families. While at the shelter, residents are mentored and receive training to gain job skills and the ability to reintegrate into society.  

Open House Ministries expanded its facilities in 2018 to be able to extend the impact of events such as the free pet clinics. Photo courtesy of Open House Ministries
Open House Ministries expanded its facilities in 2018 to be able to extend the impact of events such as the free pet clinics. Photo courtesy of Open House Ministries

“Being a resource for the homeless community at large is important to us,” said Dina Hovde, communications manager at Open House Ministries, in a release. “The relief on the faces of people in seemingly insurmountable life situations is a reminder that there are many ways our community can help the homeless.”

Graphic courtesy of Open House Ministries
Graphic courtesy of Open House Ministries

The event location is at 900 W. 12th St. in downtown Vancouver. Appointments for pets will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and will run for the entire time allotment.   

“It’s important at Open House to offer a community resource to people to get people connected,” Hovde previously told ClarkCountyToday.com. “That’s one of the things they see as really needed among the homeless community is for them to even know what’s available to help them.”

For more information on the free pet clinic and other services available through Open House Ministries, visit www.sheltered.org, or follow them on Facebook.  

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