In a much-needed initiative to extend veterinary care to underserved communities in Miami-Dade, the county's Animal Services has rolled out the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Mobile Veterinary Clinic. The mobile clinic, freely offering a slew of essential wellness services, aims to bridge the gap in veterinary care experienced by owned pets in what are often described as 'veterinary deserts'. Taking a proactive stance, the county seeks to alleviate barriers to pet health within these neighborhoods.
The WOW Mobile’s itinerary is strategic, planting itself in select areas every few months, and it commits to a minimum three-month stay at each location. With such scarce options for pet care in these parts, the county revealed in a recent announcement, accessibility is the lifeline for pet owners, the clinic offering vaccinations, boosters, deworming, and flea prevention, also providing critical referrals for spay and neuter surgeries, their presence indeed, a vital oasis in the midst of a desert.
Attendance at the mobile clinic operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The WOW Mobile runs its operations from Monday to Wednesday, opening its doors at 8:30 a.m. and pulling down the shutters at 4:30 p.m., with a break between noon and 1 p.m.; however, it is closed from Thursday to Sunday and on county holidays.
The Friends of Miami Animals Foundation Inc. is the gracious benefactor behind this innovative service, their vehicle donation and grant funding enable these mobile clinics to traverse the county and deliver services, giving pet owners much-needed support for their four-legged family members, according to the same Miami-Dade County announcement. For those interested in learning more about the WOW Mobile or looking to track its next stop, information is readily available on the Animal Services Department’s website and socials at @adoptmiamipets.
