Local Healthcare Facilities for Owners
Within the the city of Schenectady and surrounding area there are dozens of healthcare facilities. Some local primary care options include Ellis Medicine Primary Care at Mohawk Harbor and Ellis Primary Care Nott Street. If there is an emergency, Ellis Hospital is located on Nott Street. They have some of the best doctors in the state of New York working together throughout this pandemic. Ellis hospital also provides a free shuttle to the hospital that stops at local homeless centers. This allows the citizens of Schenectady to get the proper medical care despite financial restraints. If someone is unable to pay for a health service they need, the Schenectady Family Health Center and Capital City Rescue Mission both offer free medical assistance.
Local Healthcare Facilities for Pets
Within the local community of Schenectady there are thousands of animal lovers! Myself included! Schenectady offers many wonderful animal shelters and veterinary clinics alike. The Animal Protective Foundation and Mohawk Hudson Humane Society have many dogs who need homes and would make a great addition to any family! Hernas Veterinary Clinic, Union Street Veterinary Hospital and Sunnyside Veterinary Hospital are located right in Schenectady and provide excellent veterinary care to all types of pets!
Resources For Families Struggling to Afford a Pet
- Another wonderful addition of Schenectady is the Pet Food Pantry, available through the Animal Protective Foundation. The Pet Food Pantry supplies donated dog and cat food along with cat liter to the families who struggle to take care of their pet. This allows low income families to afford food for their beloved pets. It also helps lessen the financial burden that ultimately leads many families to surrender their pet.
- The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to pet owners who are unable to afford minor procedures.
- The Guardian Domestic Violence Program is partnered with YWCA of Schenectady. They provide a safe home for the animals of both women and men who are in the process of leaving an abusive relationship. They will also provide the necessary medical necessities (spay, neuter and vaccinations) free of charge.
- There are numerous rabies clinics throughout Schenectady and surrounding towns as well.
The photo above shows the love shared between an owner and their pet. Credit of Chole Bennet
In my opinion, Schenectady does a great job of attempting to open resources up to pet owners as well. When speaking with a women who worked for the Animal Protective Foundation here in Schenectady, she told me about some of the struggles they’ve been facing recently. The Pet Food Pantry has had a dramatic decrease in donations and an increase in need recently. There are more and more people who have lost their jobs and are struggling to afford basic necessities right now due to COVID-19. The Pet Food Pantry has increased in need dramatically, however donations and volunteers are harder to receive due to the pandemic. We as a community must try and keep wonderful programs like this one on their feet! If you are able to afford dog or cat food, please consider donating! If you are looking to adopt contact The Animal Protective Foundation!
Sources
https://www.petsofthehomeless.org/2019/05/13/myths-and-misconceptions-about-the-homeless-and-their-dogs/
