Veterinarian to host vaccine clinic benefiting animal and human victims of California wildfires
MISSION VIEJO — Does your pet need a vaccine?
On Sunday, Dec. 9, the Alicia Pet Care Center will hold a vaccine clinic to benefit victims and animal rescue groups affected by California’s recent wildfires. Vaccinations have been donated to the clinic by their health care providers.
“As a Laguna Beach native who has experienced the tragedy of loss of property due to fire in my hometown, I understand the great toll that a natural disaster can have on individuals, families and the broader community that surrounds those hit hardest,” said Dr. Matthew Wheaton. “For the survivors, there are challenges on all fronts, but help can and must be given to them to get back on their feet. This is one of those moments when we feel compelled to reach out beyond our local community to help the needy pets that have been left behind and the people that are desperate for support.”
All funds received from these services and any donations will go to the California Community Foundation and North Valley Animal Disaster Group.
Wheaton has been at the forefront of animal rescue and community service for more than a decade. In 2007, he and his wife, Blythe Wheaton, opened the Pet Rescue Center. In 11 years, the PRC saved more than 1,500 dogs and cats from high-kill shelters before it closed in October.
“Running a nonprofit is not something we had specialized in prior to our founding in 2007, but our passion for the cause propelled our successes,” Blythe Wheaton said after announcing the nonprofit group was shutting down. “We made personal sacrifices and drained our personal financial resources at times, but it has all been a wonderful success in our hearts and minds because of the lives we have impacted.”
Wheaton also holds the annual Ford Petersen Spay Day. Petersen died Feb. 11, 2013, at age 21, from a congenital heart condition. He had spent four summers working at Wheaton’s animal hospital and had planned to attend veterinary school at UC Davis. In six years of the event, Wheaton and his staff have spayed and neutered more than 250 dogs and cats.
“Our hope is that our fundraiser is just one of many that all add up to make a big difference in the lives of those affected by our recent fires,” Wheaton said.
What: Vaccination clinic
When: 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Alicia Pet Care Center, 25800 Jeronimo Road, Suite 100, Mission Viejo
Vaccinations available: Feline: Rabies, FVRCP, FELV; Canine: Rabies, DHP, Bordetell
Cost: $22 to $32