TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — It’s an exciting day for the Terre Haute Humane Society as they held the groundbreaking for their new low-cost vet clinic.
The addition will be built on the organization’s existing property adjacent to their current facility. The clinic is expected to be 4,000 square feet. Officials said the clinic plans to hire a full-time veterinarian as well as multiple veterinary technicians.
“We would not be doing this without the support that we’ve received from the city and the county from a financial perspective,” Ray Buechler, President of the THHS Board of Directors said.
The total cost of the project is expected to be $731,560.
$500,000 of that comes from city and county ARPA funds.
“The city and the county agreed to donating $250,000 each. So, a half a million dollars toward this project,” Vigo County Commissioner, Mike Morris said.
“We wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for the support from them,” Buechler said.
That support, Buechler explained, is a big community effort, “City Council, County Council, County Commissioners. We also have some corporate support as well here from Elanco and Saturn Pet Care. As well as our animal control partners from both the city and the county.”
So, how’d we get here?
“We started talking with Mayor Bennett and the County Commissioners about the idea of a low-cost vet clinic here in town,” Buechler said.
“It’s just a piece to make the whole program of the animal control, the shelter and benefit the county and the city,” Morris said.
The clinic will also replace a void in the community, since the Spot Clinic closed several years ago. Some animals are surrendered due to owners not being able to afford their care.
“The hope is if we can provide that care at an affordable cost to them, those animals won’t be surrendered,” THHS volunteer coordinator, Maggie Wheeler said.
Leaders hope to wrap up construction later this year. And have it fully operational at the beginning of next year.
Officials said they are currently about $200,000 short of the goal.
The group asks that residents hoping to support this facility donate on their website here.
