Free vet clinic at risk of closing if new location isn’t found

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A Denver nonprofit that offers free vet services for low-income neighbors and people experiencing homelessness is at risk of shutting down if they don’t find a new location.

For the last five years, the Peace Love and Paws nonprofit has been offering free vet care at the St. Barnabas Episcopal. Now, the church is developing new programs that won’t allow animals inside.

Volunteers are scrambling to find a new place to continue the work they do.

“We provide an important service to those living on the poverty line and who aren’t able to access veterinary care at your typical private practice,” said Dr. Carolyn Karrh, executive director and founder of Peace Love and Paws.

Once a month for about five hours, volunteers pack into the space to provide life-saving care for animals in need.

“In the spring and summer and early fall months, we actually see more than 100 animals in about a four to five-hour period of time,” said Karrh.

She said volunteers offer a slew of services.

“General veterinary services such as wellness exams, vaccines, heartworm testing, heartworm prevention. We also address minor medical issues so any of those things,” said Karrh. “The other thing that we do is offer free vouchers to have their pets spayed and neutered at a local nonprofit called Spay Today .”

It’s why the nonprofit is looking for a new space to help hundreds of animals before their temporary location has to shut down.

“We also provide free pet supplies and pet food complements of the Colorado Pet Pantry, another nonprofit we partner with. So, those are things they would no longer have access to through us. They would have to find other means of managing them,” said Karrh.

She knows finding other means of managing care isn’t possible for many of the people and pets she serves.

“Typically speaking, a veterinary visit would be $300 to $400 for the type of services that were providing to each of our clients,” said Karrh. “It’s been a great space, about 1,500 square feet. It’s very large and because we’re so large too, it’s very critical for us to have a space available to utilize for as large as we are.”

She also has long-term plans for the nonprofit.

“Having a space available once a month is all we’re really looking for. At some point, we’ll be looking for a mobile veterinary clinic. The goal is to be able to go into the shelters in the Denver area and provide free veterinary care for those experiencing homelessness right directly where they are,” said Karrh. “The way we could do that will be through having a mobile unit, those are very expensive. Certainly beyond what we have available financially right now.”

Karrh went on to say October is the latest Peace Love and Paws will be able to hold their free clinics.

If you have a temporary or permanent space that volunteers can use, visit their website . You can click the “Contact Us” tab to communicate where they can utilize the space, or text 303-990-1893.

If you’re interested in volunteering your time or giving donations, you can also use the website to do that as well.

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