Pawsitive Partnership for Jarrell Pet Owners

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Compassion Veterinary Hospital and Texas Rescue Network

While spay/neuter services are critical to promoting owner retention and preventing dogs from being abandoned or having unplanned litters, 90 percent of pet owners say the cost of the procedure is a major barrier to getting the surgery. In addition, rural areas – even fast-growing ones like Jarrell – often lack subsidized spay/ neuter options.

That’s why Texas Rescue Network was excited to partner with Compassion Veterinary Hospital to bring a low-cost spay/neuter clinic to Jarrell in January. “They share the same desire to help animals and their humans, and they were so excited to partner with us!” says Alex Katz, founder and director of Texas Rescue Network.

Dr. Melissa Havemann, owner of Compassion Veterinary Hospital, was happy to host the event at her hospital and reduce their usual surgery cost of $300-600 for the day. Texas Rescue Network fundraised to bring the cost down even further to just $100 per dog, which included pain medication, surgery cones, and free microchips, in addition to the surgery.

One of Dr. Havemann’s primary goals when she opened her Jarrell veterinary practice six months ago was to serve her community. Being able to provide affordable services, including the recent spay/neuter clinic, has been a rewarding experience. “The fact that I’m now able to help people as an owner instead of just an associate veterinarian, I don’t have to charge an arm and a leg, which is very fulfilling as a veterinary and a Jarrell native.”

Community Support

Multiple local businesses and nonprofits stepped up to support the spay/neuter clinic, including Heaven and Hair Salon, Furrbaby Food Pantry of Georgetown, Saving Life, Whitney Orr and Nicholas Pokluda. Heaven and Hair Salon owner Mandi Christopher decided to become a sponsor because “I think it’s important to support our local businesses, and I’ve personally used this vet and we love her.”

Dr. Havemann says the community support was a huge surprise. “I never in my life expected so much support even from brand-new businesses like mine. Having that kind of support was outstanding and I was deeply moved to have others join me in giving back to our community.”

Texas Rescue Network and Compassion

Veterinary Hospital hope to host their next low-cost dog clinic in March and are seeking donations and event sponsors. Email info@texasrescuenetwork.org for more information about donation and sponsorship options.