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The Millcreek Supervisors approved the Humane Society’s plans to rezone a residential property they own into a commercial one.
The Humane Society purchased the property on 2433 Zimmerly Road, almost two years ago. The property is located directly west of the Humane Society.
Executive director of the Northwest Pennsylvania Humane Society, Nicole Bawol, says, “The previous executive director and the board of directors saw that the house had some up for sale and they thought that I would be some sort of significant use to the Humane Society. So, we have been determining for the last almost two years what exactly we want to do with the property next door.”
They chose to turn it into a low cost veterinarian clinic. Around Erie, it costs about $200 to spay or neuter your cat. Depending on size, spaying or neutering a dog can cost upwards of $300.
The ANNA Shelter Wellness Center offers a lower cost, about half the price of what private offices are charging. With a two week wait list at the ANNA Shelter, it proves there is a demand for another low cost clinic in the area.
Nicole says, “But we do take at least 5-10 calls daily for services such as vaccinations and spaying and neutering. So, we do see that there is an additional need.”
She says the Humane Society board tossed around a few other ideas for the property, but this one benefits the community the most, “Our pet overpopulation is astronomical. These affordable clinics help us to serve the community, and those people that can’t quite afford the $250 spay, neuter, and all of the medication.”
You hear the saying, “Help control the pet population, get your pets spayed or neutered,” but it actually does more than just help control the pet population.
Nicole says, “When you spay and neuter your pet you are going to increase their life. And they’re going to live a longer, happier life.”
If all goes as planned, the Humane Society hopes to open the clinic by December. They will appear before the Millcreek Zoning Board, March 1st, to seek approval.