Free Service to the Homeless
The Mercer Veterinary Clinic offers free veterinary care monthly for the pets of the homeless, and is operated by volunteer veterinary faculty, residents and students from the UC Davis Veterinary School and relies entirely on donations. Veterinary faculty who volunteer regularly include Dr. Mike Teglas, Dr. Tom Kendall , Dr. Lon Kendall and Dr. Laurel Gershwin. The Clinic is held the second Saturday of every month at the Loaves and Fishes complex at 1321 West C St. in Sacramento between 8 AM and 2 PM.
Licensed veterinarians, assisted by approximately one dozen volunteer veterinary students, treat 30-50 animals per clinic session. The animals -- predominantly dogs and cats -- receive a variety of products and services. Services range from administration of preventative medications and vaccinations to complete physical examinations and laboratory work for diagnosis of medical conditions. Items such as leashes, collars, flea products and high quality food are provided at no cost.
Routine diagnostic tests and medical problems such as mites, infections and minor wounds are treated by the volunteers and veterinarians at the clinic. Those with medical problems requiring surgery, radiology or other advanced care, however, are referred to local veterinarians, and the costs are covered by Mercer Veterinary Clinic.
