Drive-thru pet vaccination clinic planned for Sept. 12
Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) recently contributed equipment and supplies which will benefit the search dogs of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, and cats kept at the local animal shelter.
The two projects had been planned prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, confirmed FOGAS volunteer Ernie Taylor.
A 12x14-foot covered kennel and doghouse donated to Gilmer Fire and Rescue will be used by the department’s search dogs in training, said Al Cash, public information officer for Gilmer County Public Safety.
“The donated kennel is a place for them to feed, water and rest between training sessions. These (training sessions) can take place at fire station 1 or off premises. The dogs are currently housed with their handlers,” said Cash.
“We are proud and honored to have received an extraordinary gift from FOGAS. Many, many thanks to them for their thoughtfulness and generosity,” he added.
Two German Shepherds, Axel and Duke, are currently undergoing search and rescue training, Cash noted.
“We are hoping to have Duke and Axel, who is Duke’s son, certified in scent and tracking skills to assist in our search and rescue operations,” he said.
Search dog certification generally requires 18-24 months of simulated and real-time training, Cash noted.
“While there are several avenues of training in which a dog can certify including water rescue, cadaver, explosives and drugs, our dogs will be limited to human scent and tracking,” he explained.
“This is one of the areas where the ‘rescue’ in fire and rescue comes in. Search dogs can be used to help locate missing persons (including) wandering minors, individuals with medical needs, those with diminished mental awareness and lost hikers, as well as to assist other departments or jurisdictions with similar needs.”
At the Gilmer Animal Shelter, FOGAS members donated cages and funds to cover paint and lighting for the shelter’s new feline recovery area.
“It’s an inside recovery room and the employees have decorated it with flowers. The room was designed by animal shelter staff to be a peaceful place for cats to recover from illnesses and medical procedures,” said Taylor. “It allows them to have a room that separates other cats from those that need to be quarantined or are in recovery.”
Drive-thru vaccine clinic planned
Following a string of successful discount spay-neuter clinics, FOGAS will hold their first drive-thru vaccination clinic for dogs and cats Saturday, Sept. 12.
The clinic will take place from 8 a.m-noon in the Broad/Dalton Street parking lot across from the county courthouse. It will be held on the same morning as the Ellijay Farmers Market.
Dr. Craig Chester and staff from Jasper’s Animal Medical Clinic will administer the vaccinations and a portion of the event proceeds will be donated to FOGAS, noted Taylor.
“Another charity that I volunteer with in Jasper did a (similar) clinic a month ago and we had 480 vaccinations in four hours. There was a big demand,” Taylor said.
Vaccination prices for the clinic are as follows: rabies - $10, feline leukemia - $20 and all others including DHCPP for puppies, DHLPP for dogs and bordetella (kennel cough) - $15.
Owners can remain in their cars while the pets receive their shots, Taylor confirmed. Payment should be made by exact change or check, he added.