The Susquehanna SPCA’s new custom built cargo van is ready to roll, transporting animals and hosting mobile wellness clinics.
SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes announced the acquisition of the van at the Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting Wednesday, March 4.
The van is equipped with mounted cages, a folding table and supply shelves, and is suitable for all-terrain driving.
In addition to transporting animals in the course of the shelter’s rescue work, staff will be able to host neighborhood wellness clinics, providing services like vaccinations, wellness checks and referrals to local veterinarians to underserved animal owners, particularly those with transportation or financial barriers.
Haynes said the goal is to make the clinics free through community and business sponsorship, otherwise the services would be provided as close to at cost for the shelter as possible.
The most common animals receiving services are cats, dogs and even ferrets, including rabies vaccines, but the SQSPCA aims to help any animal in need, regardless of species, though mobile services for larger animals are not yet established.
The van was purchased after fundraising for two years to replace a 2013 cargo van with 100,000 miles that was rusting. The new van is all-wheel drive, which is a significant improvement over the previous two-wheel drive van that often got stuck, Haynes said.
The exterior is plain white for now, but a branded wrap is on the way, Haynes said. A retractable canopy over the sliding door creates a shelter from the weather.
The idea grew out of the SQSPCA’s wellness clinic in Neahwa Park, held last May.
“It was so well attended that we wanted to be able to do more,” she said.
Haynes asked board members to identify neighborhoods that could benefit from their services.
“Maybe they have constituents that are reaching out,” Haynes said, “sharing issues that they might be having, or they know of a neighborhood that has a high need. Those are the places that we want to go.”
To make a request for a mobile wellness clinic visit, call the SQSPCA at 607-547-8111 or email shaynes@sqspca.org.