People in Laurens County, and from neighboring counties, can take steps right here at home to prevent unwanted pet pregnancies through the Laurens County Humane Society’s new spay/neuter clinic, which opened officially on Friday.
On their first day of operation the first Thursday of February, they serviced 60 animals, and they 200 animals on the waiting list. LCHS Board Member Dr. Jenifer Dixon volunteers her services each first Thursday, as her schedule allows; and now the clinic has a second surgery table and surgery light (awaiting installation) so two surgeons could work side-by-side.
During the official opening, Shelter Manager and founding Board Member Jill Mechling told an assembled crowd, “We opened the adoption center 10 years ago, and we had future plans to expand; but realized our expansion should not be adoption it should be for prevention. So we started probably 5 or 6 years ago with a campaign to raise funds; and more in the past 2 years we has steady fundraisers.”
LCHS had an auction, a bingo night, and percentage nights at local restaurants, and they raised enough money to start getting bids. Will Prescott with P&F Construction in Laurens County won the bid and started on the building in May. Construction lasted through October.
“We did more fundraising, and begging, and were able to get equipment donated or purchased to go ahead and start helping the community with surgeries,” Mechling said.
The 60 surgeries so far, Mechling said, “We feel like that is a big accomplishment for us or any local vet — and the county — even though we have had some people come from Spartanburg (on Feb. 5). We don’t care where you live, get your animals fixed and spread the word.”
LCHS had a percentage-donated day at Arnold’s restaurant in downtown Laurens on Monday, and had a Feb. 14 “Chips and Tips Event” from 2 to 3 p.m. at the shelter, 793 Poplar St., Clinton. Prices for services are in a flyer at the top of the LCHS Facebook Page.
LCHS website here.
LCHS Facebook page here.
