Extending our reach and bringing our resources to new communities is one of the 4 R Friends’ great strengths. As a small, grassroots organization, we can adapt our services as our client communities change and move through the area. And adapt we did this weekend, when our team headed out to a new location in Sacramento just north of the river. There we set up a temporary clinic to provide free veterinary services for a new community in need.

This new Evergreen Clinic provided preventative vet care, check-ups, treatment for existing conditions, and maintenance for a whole new group of dogs, puppies, and a few cats right in their neighborhood. It was exciting to see new faces, connect with their stories, and meet their canine and feline families. Helping puppies stay updated with their vaccines, providing collars and leashes to those who were more than ready for a wardrobe upgrade, and ensuring ticks are a thing of the past were just a few services we were able to provide for these families. Without prompting, the majority of client with unaltered pets requested appointments for spay and neuter, which we will provide, also for free, in the coming weeks.

And like many of our other clinics, we saw the lovely wide range of dog types from the purse pooches to the amazing stoic guardians who are loyal as the day is long. But the one thing that is ALWAYS the same at every clinic is this group's love and devotion for their furry families. It never falters and shows in spades as they stand and wait in line to make sure they can get everything their pack needs to be happy and healthy.

Their appreciation and constant thanks are not necessary. Still, the best part of the whole day is assuring everyone that we are not a one-off event, and we will be back next month and to encourage them to come back and get more food, flea and tick prevention, and collars for those puppies who will have chewed or grown out of their current ones. When they learn that we will see them again, the look on their faces means everything to us.

It made the difference for one gentleman who was going to surrender his dog because he felt he couldn't care for him long-term, but on hearing we would be back, he changed his mind.

We are so lucky to have these moments, to be able to see and meet all the friends in these communities, human and furry. And we are so very fortunate to have a supportive community that enables us to do this work both through volunteer time and donations. So welcome to our new Evergreen Clinic. We can't wait to go back!

Pop-Up Clinics for Pets of the Homeless Continue in New Sites