STROUD TOWNSHIP, PA — Animals like Ranger Rick come to AWSOM Animal Shelter in Stroud Township with all sorts of medical needs.
"He had a glaucoma, which led to his eye having to be removed; very good boy."
But before they can find their forever families, they need medical attention at the on-site wellness center. Last spring, the center closed after a personnel issue halted operations.
"We didn't want it to happen, the community didn't want it to happen, but the outpour of support since we announced we are reopening has been tremendous," said Brandon Overbeck, director of operations.
Overbeck says during the shutdown, staff had to outsource all vet needs.
"The staff was running animals around. Obviously, the monetary value of that was up because we weren't doing it in-house, so we were spending a lot more money," said Overbeck.
By appointment, the center will be able to spay and neuter cats and dogs, along with vaccinations, microchipping, and other non-emergency services.
When clients return to the center with their pets, they'll notice some changes.
"We did all of the floors. We repainted the walls, upgraded some of the surgical equipment and some of the fixtures so it's safer and better for the staff and for the clients," explained Overbeck.
Now that the wellness center is reopening, it will help keep people's pets happy and healthy, and it will also help support the animals at AWSOM.
"Ultimately, everybody who comes through the doors gets a discounted rate on the services, but all of that money goes back into helping the animals of Monroe County that we take in," said Overbeck.
The AWSOM Wellness Center is now taking appointments before its reopening on July 1.