By Talandor Elias
A skinny senior dog with a dry coat and rotten teeth roaming the streets of Hartwell was all the inspiration Barb Lichtenstein needed to become a volunteer with Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati (PIN) thirteen years ago. “Our veterinarian discovered he had Cushing’s Disease. He had likely been abandoned on the streets by someone who either couldn’t or didn’t want to spend money on his health care,” Barb says. She was horrified to learn that this happens frequently. “I realized how fortunate I was to be able to afford full veterinary care and decided to get involved with a nonprofit veterinary clinic to help people of limited means take care of their pets.”
At the time, the only nonprofit vet clinics around were limited to basic wellness care or spay/neuter. None could treat diseases. When Pets In Need opened their doors in 2012 as a full-service nonprofit veterinary clinic, it was not only unique in the Tristate region but also one of the very first such clinics in the US!
Barb is now the Chairman of the Board, but her work with the clinic began as a volunteer, signing people in, bringing out water and treats, and talking with people about their pets. “Our clients love and depend on their pets for companionship, and they are trying to do their best for their pets in difficult circumstances. They are so grateful to Pets In Need,” she says.
Pets In Need offers a wide range of services for cats and dogs, including basic exams and vaccinations, treatment of infections and allergies, and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Many diagnostic tests and blood work are done at the clinic. Partner Vet, Lewis Animal Hospital, performs X-rays at a discounted rate. (PIN pays part of the cost and the client pays the low fee.) PIN’s in-house pharmacy dispenses prescription and non-prescription medications.
The clinic offers same-day surgery and dentals in its new two-room suite. Surgeries range from spay/neuter to mass removals, enucleations, and even amputations. Dentals can be anything from simple exams and cleaning to removal of teeth.
With kindness and respect for pets and their people, the veterinarians and veterinarian assistants provide long-term palliative care to relieve pain and distress. When it’s clear that it’s time for a pet to cross the Rainbow Bridge, euthanasia is carried out with the utmost compassion and care, ensuring a peaceful experience for both the pet and their people. Financial assistance is available for individual cremation services, with the ashes returned to the family, along with a keepsake of their pet’s paw print.
The clinic is conveniently located in Lockland, with access via Interstates 71, 75 and Ronald Reagan Highway. “We draw patients from the entire Tri-state region,” Barb explains. “There are no geographic limits. The only qualification is that the people we serve are living at or under 200% of the federal poverty level or they qualify as a special population living at a limited or fixed income.” Client copays are kept as low as possible, and payment plans can be worked out. PIN’s goal is to make care affordable.
The organization is led by Executive Director, Pam McKie, who succeeds Founder Ann R. Hill. Pam is an animal lover, as are all the people affiliated with PIN. She is currently devoted to her rescue cat, Buckeye, whose vision Pam restored. She is a trained social worker who understands the challenges clients face and can refer them to service agencies. Pam is also an excellent, well-respected business leader.
Staff includes a lead veterinarian plus three supporting veterinarians. One or two of them perform the clinic’s surgeries and dental procedures. A practice manager, a Registered Veterinary Technician, plus three veterinary assistants work alongside the veterinarians to provide extraordinary care to these vulnerable pets and their owners. As Pam says, “the entire staff is committed to being kind, compassionate, and respectful, not only to the dogs and cats served, but also their people.”
More than 3,000 pet owners are supported each year, and that number is growing. On average, Pets In Need receives 20+ phone calls a day from potential new clients, resulting in 20+ appointments scheduled for new clients weekly. “It’s a thrill and a huge relief to be able to help people,” Pam says. “We plan to expand our services and our hours of operation, if we can raise the money.”
PIN is grateful for the tremendous support from national grantors, PetSmart Charities, which will help PIN advance to the next level, and from Petco Love for veterinary supplies. PIN also greatly appreciates the generous support from local grantors like Kenneth A. Scott Foundation, Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Joanie Bernard Foundation. Pets In Need draws most of its support from private individuals and volunteers, as well as trusts and legacy gifts. “They keep the wheels turning every day and keep client fees affordable. We’ve got a great base right now, but we want to expand,” Pam explains.
Pets In Need has a few dreams in the making. “We want to be more accessible, and we’re looking at transportation and other resources that will enable those who are elderly, veterans, without shelter, or living with a disability get to out clinic,” Pam shares. “There are whole segments of the population who could use our services that we’d like to serve.”
Would you like to support Pets In Need? While financial contributions are our top priority, the clinic is always looking for donated items, such as towels, blankets, bedding, toys, current medicines, and prescription food. If you’d like to donate or volunteer, visit https://pincincinnati.org/.
If you’d like to visit the clinic, please email [email protected], and put Attn. P. McKie in the subject line. The address is 520 W. Wyoming Avenue, Cincinnati 45215, and the phone number is (513) 761-7387.