Adams County Pet Rescue clinic schedule uncertain
Radish, one of the cats currently at Adams County Pet Rescue, poses for a picture. The COVID-19 outbreak will mean delays in the organization's cat spay and neuter program.
Courtesy photo
Drift, currently at Adams County Pet Rescue in Othello. The annual dog licensing and vaccination clinic sponsored by the organization probably will be postponed due to the COID-19 outbreak.
OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue operators hope to offer a vaccination and license clinic sometime this year, but when – or if – it will happen depends on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director Kyya Grant said the organization usually sponsors two or three spay and neuter clinics for cats during the year. However, the vets who provide services for the clinics said those won’t be allowed until Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan, Grant said. Currently, Adams County is in Phase 2 of the reopening plan imposed in January by Gov. Jay Inslee. As of Monday, the qualifications for Phases 3 and 4 weren’t announced.
Grant said the plan is to offer the clinic sometime in 2021, if conditions permit.
“We would sure love to,” she said.
The vaccination clinic usually is in the spring in the Othello City Hall parking lot. Dog owners can buy a city license, get their dogs vaccinated for parvo and rabies for a reduced price, and get the animal microchipped.
The pandemic also has affected shelter adoption events. Previously, animals were taken to adoption events, some on the west side of the state. For now, however, people who want to adopt a dog must come to the shelter.
Grant told Othello City Council members at the Feb. 22 meeting 736 dogs were adopted in 2020, even though prospective owners had to come to the shelter for most of the year.
Grant said 464 cats were adopted last year, thanks in part to the shelter’s connection with a pet supply retailer, PetSmart, and four of its stores in the Puget Sound area. There’s substantial demand for cats on the west side, Grant said, and the PetSmart outlets have been ready to take as many cats as ACPR could send them.
