Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: If you've not yet visited the new Quincy Animal Care center up off of Quarry street, you really should, because it's a beautiful space, first of all. And it's also very active for dealing with Quincy's cats, dogs and other assorted animals at the Quincy Animal Shelter. They're under the same roof now. And Brett Hale is the manager of the entire center. She's here with us to tell us about a special rabies clinic that's coming up in November. Brett, good to see you again.
[00:00:26] Speaker B: Good to see you, too. Thank you for. Thank you for having me.
[00:00:29] Speaker A: Pleasure as always. As I mentioned, the center itself, the building is beautiful. Have you found it? Folks have found it, yes.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: Yeah, we are getting lots of visitors, which is awesome. We want people to come in and see this wonderful building and all the animals available for adoption through the shelter.
[00:00:44] Speaker A: That too. Right. That's the main focus of the center. However, the police department's K9 unit is there as well.
[00:00:51] Speaker B: They are? Yes. They're based there in Quincy Animal Control.
He is based there.
So we have plenty of other animals that aren't up for adoption that live there.
[00:01:01] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely.
[00:01:02] Speaker B: Stay there. Yeah.
[00:01:04] Speaker A: So, and also, there's community space, too, for folks, right?
[00:01:07] Speaker B: Yes. Yeah. So we have a great space that is meant for community events. So that is one of the events we're doing is the rabies clinic, and we'll be utilizing that space.
[00:01:19] Speaker A: Yes. So here we go. We're already putting it into action. If folks aren't familiar with the location, if they are familiar with the dog park, it's kind of right across the street, basically.
[00:01:29] Speaker B: Yes. On your way up to the Quincy dog park. We are right on your right. You won't miss us. Big building.
[00:01:35] Speaker A: Yeah, you can't miss it. Absolutely. So let's talk about the event of the day, the free rabies clinic. It's happening on Sunday, November 16, from noon to 3pm what's this all about, Brett?
[00:01:46] Speaker B: Yeah, so this is going to be our second free rabies clinic. So there is no cost.
[00:01:51] Speaker A: Oh, when was the first one?
[00:01:53] Speaker B: We had it back in June, and it was with the Banfield Pet Hospital and Quincy Animal Shelter in the city. Did it together back then. So this is our second one, which is very exciting.
Like I said, it's free. There's no cost to it. This time we're actually adding in microchips as well. So those are going to be free of cost as well. So you can get two pretty expensive things for no cost, which is great.
[00:02:24] Speaker A: That's super. So. And the thing that's interesting. Is this is open to anyone, right?
[00:02:28] Speaker B: It is open to anyone. So Quincy residence is more than welcome, of course, but everywhere else is welcome.
So we're trying to get the word out to anyone who needs this for either their dog or cat. We are only doing dogs and cats, but if you need it, you can sign up no matter where you're from.
[00:02:46] Speaker A: Okay, how does it work?
[00:02:48] Speaker B: Yeah, so we have a flyer and on the flyer there's a QR code. So you can scan that with your phone camera or you can click the link on like social media posts if you've seen it online.
And that will bring you to a registration form. Just give us a little bit of information about you and your pet and then you're all set to go from there.
If you're not familiar with QR codes, there is a phone number available. It's my phone number.
You can call me, I can get you registered.
But we also are accepting walk ins so you're more than welcome to walk in the day of. You just might experience a little bit of a wait depending on the line of people who have pre registered.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Right. Okay, so if they do pre register, are they assigned a time?
[00:03:32] Speaker B: Yes. Okay, so they'll be.
I'll be calling folks who have signed up a few days before the clinic and I'll give them a more exact time frame based on the amount of people we have signed up.
[00:03:44] Speaker A: Very good. Okay, and what do folks, other than their pet, their dog or cat, what do they need to bring with them?
[00:03:50] Speaker B: So if you are bringing a dog, have your dog on a leash please. And we'd prefer no retractable leashes.
You know, sometimes they might break and there's going to be some other animals in the area, so we don't want that. Okay, so dogs on leash, cats and carriers. And then if you're coming with your pet and your pet has already been rabies vaccinated in the past, we're asking people to bring that paperwork with them.
[00:04:18] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:04:19] Speaker B: So that helps us determine if the dog or cat is going to get a one year vaccine or a three year vaccine. It's based on prior vaccination status.
[00:04:28] Speaker A: I see.
[00:04:28] Speaker B: Okay, so they'll need that their animals and that's it.
[00:04:32] Speaker A: Okay. Yeah. And is there any limit on the amount of animals folks can bring? Like some people have multiple pets.
[00:04:40] Speaker B: Right now we have it on the registration form where you can add up to four pets.
But if you have someone who could help you with more, if you have more than four and someone can come.
[00:04:50] Speaker A: Along with you trying to wrangle four dogs on leashes.
[00:04:52] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we could, you could register for more. You just probably need a friend to help you out. Gotcha.
[00:04:59] Speaker A: Okay. And about how long do you think the process will take?
[00:05:02] Speaker B: We'll do it in like 30 minute time slots. So people should, who have registered should expect to be there for 30 minutes or less. Hopefully you can get them in and out faster, but plan for about 30.
[00:05:15] Speaker A: Okay. And who is doing the vaccination spread?
[00:05:18] Speaker B: Yes. So Banfield Pet Hospital has, they are providing the vaccinations, the microchips, and the vet and vet techs. So it'll be Banfield's vets coming from all different locations. They have like Braintree, South Boston and many more locations.
[00:05:36] Speaker A: They're typically at the big box pet stores.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: Yeah. So I'm not sure where the vets are coming from this time, but it'll be their vets.
So they're wonderful. They're a great team.
[00:05:47] Speaker A: Yeah. And in that community room at the center.
[00:05:50] Speaker B: So we're going to utilize a lot of the building actually, so participants will get to see kind of a behind the scenes too.
[00:05:56] Speaker A: I was going to ask if there's a little tour.
[00:05:58] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. So we'll keep dogs and cats separate, of course, for their sanity.
So dogs, they'll see the community room since it's more space for them to spread out. We'll bring them back to. To the medical exam room where they'll get their vaccines and everything.
And then cats will be in the lobby and we'll use one of the dog bonding rooms or cat bonding rooms. Either one.
[00:06:23] Speaker A: Okay, all right, very good. So they will get a good sense for what the center is all about.
[00:06:27] Speaker B: Yeah. They'll be walking around.
[00:06:29] Speaker A: And then will the rooftop park area be open to?
[00:06:32] Speaker B: It will be open. We won't be utilizing any space up there, but more than welcome to go see the beautiful rooftop area.
[00:06:41] Speaker A: Sure.
[00:06:41] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:06:42] Speaker A: So, and will folks get a rabies certificate, Vaccination certificate?
[00:06:46] Speaker B: They'll get their certificate. They will get a tag.
And then if they do choose to do a microchip, you don't have to. It's a preference.
If people do choose to get a microchip, they'll get, of course, that microchip number. They'll have to register it when they get home.
I would like to mention to anyone listening that if you get the microchip when you're registering it, it's the brand home again.
And most companies, they have, most microchip companies have the option to buy a premium membership which comes with different perks.
And I just want to make sure people know that that is not required. So you can register the microchip. It is free. Your pet will always. Your name will always be tied to your pet through the chip. You don't have to buy that. Kind of seems like you do, but you don't need to unless you'd like to.
[00:07:39] Speaker A: Okay, good to know. So folks should be aware of that at least. Yeah. And the microchips basically are identification devices, right?
[00:07:49] Speaker B: Yeah. So there's a little bit of confusion with them sometimes that they can't track your pet in real time. But if you say, lose your dog and animal control picks your dog up and brings it to the center or in his van, they can scan the animal and the microchip number will pop up and then you can get the owner's contact information so the pet can go home to their parents, Right?
[00:08:13] Speaker A: Yeah. If you're not sure if your pet has microchipped, can you have it done again? Brett?
[00:08:19] Speaker B: So we will scan the pet before we put in the microchip. Yeah. So that way you won't have two microchips. So if you're not sure if your pet has one, we'll scan them, make sure. And then if they don't, they can get one. If they do, we'll leave it at that.
[00:08:35] Speaker A: Don't need one. Right. Yeah. Okay. All right. Very good. So it's a great service.
[00:08:39] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:08:39] Speaker A: And like you say, this would be costly.
[00:08:42] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:08:43] Speaker A: If you were to do it in a private setting. Right.
[00:08:45] Speaker B: Yes. The rabies vaccine right now is, depending on where you go, it's between $60 and $90.
On top of that, it has to be administered by a vet.
[00:08:55] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:08:55] Speaker B: So you have to pay the vet exam fee.
So you're looking at over $100. And microchips are also pretty costly. Similar range.
So you can. It's a good deal.
[00:09:07] Speaker A: Oh, for sure.
[00:09:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:08] Speaker A: No question. Absolutely.
Again, this is November 16, noon to 3pm and there's a pretty good sized parking lot now at the new animal care center, so that shouldn't be an issue.
[00:09:17] Speaker B: Yes. Yeah, we. We aren't too worried about parking.
Yeah. Yeah, that should be good.
[00:09:23] Speaker A: Or there's more parking up at the dog park. Just up.
[00:09:26] Speaker B: Up the way as well. Yeah. There's plenty of places.
[00:09:28] Speaker A: It's not weather dependent, obviously. Right. Because it's.
[00:09:31] Speaker B: No, it is indoors. And then I. I should mention if people are worried, if maybe they have a stressed or reactive dog, you can wait in your Car, you can come check in. Leave your dog in the car. Let us know.
[00:09:44] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:09:44] Speaker B: You know your dog would do better not being inside until he has to be. And then once it's your turn, we'll come out and grab you and you can bring your pet inside.
[00:09:53] Speaker A: Good point, good point. And then take it over to the dog park afterwards and run around and burn up that energy.
[00:09:58] Speaker B: Right, Exactly. Yeah.
[00:10:01] Speaker A: Anything else we should share with folks right now?
[00:10:04] Speaker B: That is all. We hope to have a good turnout. We've had a lot of pre registration.
[00:10:09] Speaker A: Have you?
[00:10:09] Speaker B: So would love to have even more though.
[00:10:12] Speaker A: How many do you have so far?
[00:10:14] Speaker B: We're at about 50 right now.
[00:10:16] Speaker A: Oh, all right.
[00:10:17] Speaker B: Yeah, okay. Yes, we have a good number signed up.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: Is there a deadline, Brad, to sign up or not?
[00:10:23] Speaker B: Not really. We'll do it, I guess that Friday. Which would be.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: You kind of want to get a good sense, right?
[00:10:28] Speaker B: Yeah, we want a good sense of people.
So Banfield kind of has an idea how many vaccines to bring. We'll bring extras of course for those walk ins.
But I guess the Friday before which.
[00:10:43] Speaker A: Will be the 14th.
[00:10:44] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:10:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Okay. All right, Good to know. And so is the Gold kind of trying to do this every six months because it was six months ago that you did.
[00:10:50] Speaker B: We're trying to offer it more frequently. I mean the city is wonderful. They do a low cost one in April usually through. I think it might be the health department.
[00:11:00] Speaker A: I believe that's right.
[00:11:02] Speaker B: Yeah. And it's wonderful. But if your animals expire, the vaccines expire and it's not in that window. It's still costly so we're hoping to offer it more frequently.
[00:11:13] Speaker A: Okay, excellent. Good to know. While I have you here, I always like to ask you about the pet food bank.
[00:11:19] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:11:19] Speaker A: How's that going?
[00:11:21] Speaker B: That's going great.
It is getting a lot of calls daily at this point. We've been working with interfaith social services to kind of get the word out which is great.
We have expanded to include its Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Randolph and Milton.
I believe it's Holbrook. So we have a few more areas included in this. So if any people are in need of dog or cat food, please reach out.
[00:11:50] Speaker A: Okay. Or if they'd like to donate. Yes, you can do that as well.
[00:11:53] Speaker B: Donations are more than welcome. It is a donation run food bank. So the animal shelter, interfaith and a few other sources supply it. So we have a great kind of connections in the community to keep this running.
[00:12:08] Speaker A: Excellent. Yeah, I know there's been a lot of discussion recently about the SNAP program. But you know, pet food is just as expensive, if not more sometimes.
[00:12:17] Speaker B: It is. It definitely is.
[00:12:18] Speaker A: Sure can have an impact. Yeah.
[00:12:20] Speaker B: And it is a.
Like the clinic, it's all free, so people just call me, I ask where they're from and that's it. They can get food depending on making sure they're from one of those towns or cities. But yeah.
[00:12:35] Speaker A: Okay. And that Same phone number, 617-376-1147.
[00:12:39] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:40] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:12:40] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:41] Speaker A: Or through the city website as well.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Yep, the city website. There's an animal care center tab and you'll find my contact information which they can reach out to me. We do it by appointments, but people walk in and of course they are.
I will help them if they walk in. So appointments is preferred just in case I might be here doing an interview, something like that.
[00:13:03] Speaker A: Exactly, yes.
[00:13:05] Speaker B: But walk ins are also. Okay, sure.
[00:13:07] Speaker A: Okay, great. Anything else we should share with folks right now?
[00:13:10] Speaker B: That's all we have right now, but yeah, hopefully get some people to sign up and if you need anything, give us a call. Great.
[00:13:18] Speaker A: Well, thanks for stopping by and sharing it with us.
[00:13:20] Speaker B: Thank you for having me.
[00:13:21] Speaker A: You're welcome. And thanks for watching us here at AEM Quincy. I'm Joe Catalano and we'll see you next time.
