Big-hearted pet lovers in Miami-Dade County are getting a leg up thanks to the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) mobile veterinary clinic, a joint venture between Miami-Dade Animal Services and the philanthropic Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, aiming to reach those furry family members in communities often left on the backburner of veterinary care. This "Vet on wheels" is swooping into underserved areas, delivering free health services to the beloved dogs and cats that call them home.
Offering routine check-ups, necessary jabs like wellness vaccines and boosters, the program also includes parasites' worst enemies—deworming and flea prevention treatments, all courtesy of the program's qualified vets and techs who also provide advice on where to get low-cost sterilization surgeries since the clinic doesn't handle the snip-snip itself. Miami residents won't need to scramble for an appointment; the clinic operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, set up shop currently at the South Dade Government Center until the end of May, taking a brief pause for servicing between March 4-10, ready to roll again March 11.
The operation times are quite a catch for pet owners, with doors opening Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and again, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., as detailed in the official press release from Miami-Dade County. This initiative is giving fresh hope to areas where veterinary clinics are as scarce as hens' teeth, catering to the needs of pets and bringing peace of mind to owners who may otherwise miss out on essential pet care.
For the latest scoop on where the WOW wagon is headed next and all things pertaining to your pet's health rendezvous, keep tabs on the Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department's social media spots (@adoptmiamipets) or you could just dial-up 311, all of this is made possible by a hefty donation from the Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, making sure the county's four-legged residents aren't left barking up the wrong tree when it comes to their health.
