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Dog day afternoons for Team Osan pet clinic

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Marasky
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Cute puppy-dog eyes and tiny little kittens, it's hard not to love the pets gathered at the Osan pet clinic.

These pets however do not currently belong to members of Team Osan; instead they wait in the clinic for adoption.  Most of the current animals were left with the clinic when their owners had to PCS on short notice, or in some cases, were simply abandoned.

"This is one of the busiest times of the year for us, due to the heavy turnover rate in the summer," said Ms. Danni Armstrong, Red Cross volunteer coordinator for the veterinary treatment facility here on base.  "For a variety of reasons, we get a lot of pets relinquished to us during the summer months, as well as the occasional abandonment."

One reason for the high turnover rate here is that there is no Humane Society in the Republic of Korea that members of Team Osan can take their pets to.  This leaves few options in the event that they cannot take their pet with them to their next assignment.

"We have one kitten, four adult cats, and seven dogs. We also have some dwarf hamsters," said Ms. Armstrong.  "We're about tapped out, we currently only have 2 kennels vacant."

The growing numbers tax both the available kennel space and the two army personnel assigned to the Osan vet clinic.  Specialists Cherish Masters and Matthew Peevler also serve as the primary animal health care providers for a number of other nearby military bases, leaving them spread thin to take care of so many animals.

In the event that the Osan vet clinic runs out of room, the only option left will be for some of the animals to be put down.  "It will be the vets' choice at that point, only they can make the decision.  But factors that we will have to look at then will be the length that the animals have been here each, as well as the possible adoptability of the animals," said Ms. Armstrong.

"We don't want to make this a crisis however.  We want people to do their research and make sure that they are ready to be pet owners.  We want people to adopt these animals for the right reasons," said Ms. Armstrong.

To aid in the process, the Osan vet clinic has instituted a two day trial period.  People interested in adopting a pet can take one home for a few days to make sure that the animal and the home are a proper fit.  If they decide to keep the pet, the individuals can then come back and pay the adoption fee.

The donation fee for relinquishing a pet to the clinic is 50 dollars, and there is a 75 dollar donation for adopting a pet.

"We work entirely non-profit and by donation," said Ms. Armstrong.  "We do ask for a donation fee when members relinquish their animals to us, as well as a fee when they adopt a pet.  But those are just donations to help with the costs associated with what we do."

There are a number of benefits to adopting an animal from the clinic, as compared to purchasing animals from off base sources.  The health of the pet is one of the main benefits for adopting from the clinic.

"Here we do parvo tests, heart worm tests, and ensure the overall health of the animal," said Ms. Armstrong.  "We make sure that their vaccinations are all current.  We also do a little bit of behavioral training, to try and make sure we only adopt out happy and healthy pets."

"Parvo" refers to canine parvovirus, an infectious disease that can kill pets.  A house that has a pet die of parvo has to be decontaminated, because while not harmful to humans, the virus can stay around and infect dogs that come into the house at a later time.

Despite the options for pet adoptions, the pet clinic is still receiving a number of animals, and is currently running low on space.  They are also in need of individuals who wish to help volunteer at the clinic.

For people who have questions about adoption, making donations or want to volunteer at the Osan veterinary clinic, please can call DSN: 784-6614.