Quebec veterinarian on a mission to help families who can't afford animal care

Unexpected veterinary care costs can be a financially painfulsurprise for any pet owner, but most people are just happy their furry companioncan betreated and cleared to returnhome.

However, for some Quebecers,those unexpected costsmean they must instead bid atearful farewellto theirfour-legged friends.

Dr. Julia East is looking to change that.

An associate veterinarian at Hpital vtrinaire du Bois in Chicoutimi, Que., East launched acharitable foundation in July,LesanimauxduBois, that will subsidize pet medical care forthose who can't afford the full cost of treatment.

The aim is to prevent abandonment or unnecessaryeuthanization by raising the funds needed to provide people's pets with the best possible care.

"It was really heartbreaking for me as many, many times, families and people come in to see me and I have to tell them bad news," said East, who started practicing veterinarymedicine two years ago.

"Sometimes I am forced to do things I don't want to do just because there are no funds to treat the animals."

East said abone fracture is agood example of a medical ailmentthat can be easily treated, but sometimes that treatment is so expensive that owners opt for euthanasiainstead.

She said common procedures like that can result in bills numbering in the thousands.

While the local SPCAis there to help animals that don't have a family, she said she wants to help those animals that already have loving owners.

Helping owners foot the bill

Les animaux du Bois is a non-for-profit initiative supported by volunteers fromHpitalvtrinaireduBois, a clinic locatedabout 200 kilometres north of Quebec City in the province'sSaguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Often owners will have some money set side, but not enough to cover the entire bill.

"They will have to pay a little amount, what they can actually, and the foundation is going to be there to help them pay the complete bill."

Beyond fundraising and potentially partnering with other veterinarians in the future, the foundation also aims to raise awareness about the responsibilities that come with adopting a pet.

Fundraising for animal care

Later this month, the foundation is kicking off its first fundraising event.

On Sept. 9, about a dozen employees of the Hpital vtrinaire du Bois will be providing a list of animal care servicesfor substantially reduced rates. Those services will rangefrom ear cleaning and nail trimmingto teeth cleaning andmicrochip installation.

For example, East said installing a microchip can cost up to $90 at some places, but her clinic will be offering the service for $25 during the four-hour event which will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the animal hospital.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the foundation.

"I started just with a dream to help animals," said East. "It's really heartbreaking to do my job sometimes and it's really hard for me. I hope, really, people are going to support me in helping animals."