FALLS TOWNSHIP, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local animal welfare organization is growing its reach to help more pets in need.
The NEPA rescue veterinary clinic at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary began providing low-cost services to pet owners about a year ago.
Indraloka's founder says they are planning to help more people in need get quality care for their pets.
Providing care to pets who need it the most is the goal of Indraloka's NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic.
"A lot of families are struggling. The prices of everything have just skyrocketed. And there's such a shortage of veterinarians to begin with, the ones that are still in practice have had to raise their rates as well," explained Indra Lahiri, founder and executive director at Indraloka.
That's why the clinic is expanding to offer weeknight and select weekend hours. Indraloka's founder says the clinic helps people who might otherwise have to surrender their animals due to the cost of private care.
"So a lot of times those animals end up leaving families where they're happy and they have good homes, and ending up filling up the shelters that are already so full of abandoned animals," said Lahiri.
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Joining the team is Dr. Melissa Resnick. With 10-plus years of experience as a shelter vet, she says she's seen these struggles firsthand.
"I'm typically treating animals that are within the shelter, and many of those have been surrendered because their guardians could not afford the veterinary care that they needed," explained Dr. Resnick.
The expanded services will allow NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic to continue to help pet owners help their furry friends in need.
"So this is an opportunity to help those families keep their animals with them. And provide services at a rate that they can afford so those animals have the excellent care that they deserve," said Lahiri.
As a part of the expansion, NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic also plans to launch pop-up mobile clinics to provide services in under-resourced areas across NEPA.
As a special welcome to Dr. Resnick, NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic is waiving the office visit fee for any new clients who make well-animal appointments after 4:00 p.m. or on a weekend between now and June 6
Additionally, Dr. Resnick’s arrival enables Dr. Leslie Interlandi and her team to launch Tuesday Community Wellness Clinics throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. These mobile, pop-up style clinics provide preventive care services, including exams, vaccinations, and preventive care, in under-resourced areas.
Indraloka is now inviting businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to partner as host sites for these Tuesday clinics. Hosts are asked to provide:
A climate-controlled indoor space, such as a conference room or community hall.
A waiting area for people and their animal companions.
Accessible parking for clients and staff, Indraloka provides everything else, including veterinary professionals, supplies, equipment, coordination, and outreach.
If you would like to partner as a host site, please fill out the Community Wellness Clinic Host Interest Form.
To learn more about the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic and its services, visit NEPA RESCUE VET CLINIC | Indraloka Animal Sanctuary.
