Vet techs, Cat Palace team up for Norfolk event
Apr. 29—NORFOLK — SUNY Canton Vet Tech Association members, Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care and the St. Regis Falls Cat Palace got together Saturday in Norfolk to provide spay and neuter procedures to over 30 cats.
Donna M. Bailey of the Cat Palace said they housed over 80 cats in three buildings in St. Regis Falls. She provided the animals for the event. She said she has a mobile clinic that she can bring almost anywhere to spay and neuter animals, but the clinic in Norfolk is an ideal destination.
"We can pull into a fire station anywhere and have at it," she said.
In a year and a half, she said they have facilitated 800 procedures and hopes to do many more.
"I would much rather stop the problem than continue to babysit," she said.
Tayler R. Cady, who is getting ready to graduate from SUNY Canton and is the President of the Vet Tech Association, organized the event. She was working in the intake room, where cats are checked to ensure they are healthy enough for the operations.
She was accompanied by Alexa E. Broadhurst, a freshman, and Laura E. Martino, the association's incoming president.
While the students checked the weight, respiration, heart rate and temperature of Pongo, a shorthair female, Cady talked about her ambitions for the program. Cady collaborated with the Silver Birch clinic and the Cat Palace to make this first-ever event on Saturday.
"We hope it will be annual," she said.
She said that there were about 25 students taking part in the event.
"We wanted freshmen to experience this before they start working with animals in class," she said.
She said it helps the community, too. The procedures were done at a discount, with spays costing $100 and neuters $40. The Cat Palace coordinated payments and found the clients.
Cady said she hopes to add dogs to the effort in the future.
Cats at the clinic also got their nails clipped, their ears cleaned and received any vaccinations they might need.
Dr. Sarah Wray, one of the owners and veterinarians at Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care, 52 West Main St. Norfolk, kept an eye on the students spread across the clinic as they prepped the cats for their procedures, shaving the belly of the females, drawing blood, helping with anesthesia, and caring for their patients in recovery.
Cady said vet tech students spend most of their time on campus in the Newell Vet Tech Center, and she thought it was essential to get them out in the community for a change.
"Not a lot of people know about our club," she said
Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care provides same-day availability for sick animals. Offering diagnostics and care without scheduling an appointment. They do not routine examinations or vaccine appointments. People with sick pets can call 315-234-7795.
