Wally's Friends Spay/Neuter Clinic announced it may have to close following the loss of its veterinarian.
Officials said, "The clinic serves as an anchor facility for affordable and accessible spay and neuter services to the greater Chattanooga area and over nine surrounding counties. Over the course of 13 years, Wally's Friends has impacted the lives of over 115,000 dogs and cats, and their human families.
"Unfortunately, following an unexpected turn of events, Wally's Friends is announcing it may have to close its doors if funding and a new veterinarian are not in place soon.
"It all started when the resident veterinarian for Wally's Friends recently relocated to another city."
Eileen Price, founder and executive director, said, "No veterinarian means no surgeries, and no surgeries means no fees for services, which are the main source of income for Wally's Friends to keep our lights on and to keep operating on dogs and cats and serving our community.
"On a typical day at Wally's Friends, the clinic sees over 35 dogs and cats, but right now the building sits vacant following the departure of its veterinarian.
While I have been working on a national search and recruitment efforts to hire a new veterinarian to perform spay/neuter services, the phones are ringing off the hook every day from callers wanting to schedule a spay or neuter operation for their dog or cat.
"If you consider the idea that each dog or cat that Wally's Friends has treated over the years has impacted the life of at least one, two, three, four, or maybe even five human family members who love them, we have touched the lives of at least half a million people across our greater Chattanooga region, Now we are asking every one of these people to step up and rise to the cause by giving something to help keep Wally's Friends' doors open."
She said the clinic will announce a fundraising campaign at a press conference on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the clinic, 155 Unaka St.
Pet Placement Center Executive Director Kristin Stanford said she plans to be among community partners and supporters who are joining the press conference. She said, "No one entity can keep up with the need of our community. They are all overwhelmed right now and any one clinic shutting down could throw off the balance of our entire animal care community. It's time for area wide animal clinics to come together and collaborate and support each other in our efforts for the animals."
Officials said, "The community is invited to join the press conference to show solidarity and support as well as make the first wave of donations to help keep Wally's Friend's open."
Learn more at www.wallysfriends.com.