Free Clinic Helps Four Legged Friends

A Chattanooga program aims to help a forgotten part of our society, pets of the homeless and in need. The goal? To give vet care....for free.

Nori and Paige visited the vet today, an expensive but necessary trip. Their owner, Brandy Bates says its just too pricey to take them to their usual veterinarian.

"With the economy and work...I needed a new way to get them checked out," said Bates.

And she found just that. Collars, leashes, pet food and even treats...Dog Days at the Metropolitan Ministries has it all, including a vet. And its all free.

"With the economy the way that it is, the same people who, normally, could have done a lot more have been restricted on what they can do. And then there's that group of people who can do absolutely nothing for their dog," said Dr. Darlene White.

Dr. White is a veterinarian and had the idea to start Dog Days and today was their 3rd clinic. Metropolitan Ministries is an agency that helps both homeless and those in need, financially and with medicines but Dr. White says its not just people who need help.

"Those dog did not ask to be in the position that they're in and I just think its our responsibility to try to do what we can for them," said Dr. White.

And helping the pets is a huge help to the owners and a way for them to give back.

"When I adopted Nori from the pound, she just lightened up my whole life. Because she wouldn't let me get sad. And when I wanted to cry, she just bounces all over you," said Bates.

Rebecca Whelchel, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Ministries says they try very hard to respond to what their clients need. And one of the things they needed, was veterinary care.

"Because for a lot of these clients, many of them who are homeless, those relationships with those pets are about the only relationships that they have," said Whelchel.

Relationships they, no doubt, want to keep healthy. Pets can receive free rabies vaccination, flea pills, and parvo medicines at Dog Days. Dr. White says she gets supplies from donations and grants...and says they will continue the clinic for as long as the need is there.