On Sunday, March 21, the OSU Pre-Veterinary Medicine Association (PVMA) and OSU CVM Shelter Medicine Club (SMC) will be collaborating for the first time to put on a Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon clinic at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis. The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon is a trap-neuter-return program for feral and stray cats living in Oregon. Local caregivers who feed the feral cats trap them, bring them to the clinic and return the cats to where they are being fed with a commitment to feed the cats on a permanent basis. In addition, each cat receives a distemper and rabies vaccine, is flea combed and sprayed, treated for ear mites and other minor medical conditions, and has his or her ear tipped for future identification.
Recently, a need has surfaced for a group to commit to hosting these clinics throughout the year, and the PVMA and SMC jumped at the opportunity. Both organizations have been working enthusiastically to raise the nearly $700 required to pay for an individual clinic. Money raised goes toward paying for a venue and in assisting in supplying the mobile clinic provided by the FCCO. Each clinic requires numerous man-hours in preparation: organizing caregivers, volunteers, technicians and veterinarians. Clinics run from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and will continue to be held throughout the year. The next clinic will take place on Sunday, May 16th.
