In a gift that will benefit not only cats but our whole community the staff of Parekh Medical Clinic in Senatobia, has given funds to the Homeless Animals Relief Project (HARP) to vaccinate hundreds of cats from our area against rabies.
While outbreaks of rabies virus are rare, the disease is fatal to both animals and humans. Vaccinating pets against rabiescan block the disease in pets and prevent transmission to humans. The clinic’s gift is timely, as World Rabies Day is September 28.
“All of us at the clinic have a fondness for dogs and cats, especially the ones living with the less fortunate. That’s why we want to support HARP’s mission to provide free or low-cost birth control surgery to cats living with the poor, and to community cats. This donation will provide a three-year rabies vaccine for cats when HARP has them at a vet clinic for surgery. That helps protect the cat and our residents from this deadly disease,” said Dr. Parekh, Director of the clinic. “We are pleased to be able to offer support to this humane mission, especially since it also builds upon our mission to improve the health of area residents.”
Since 1996 HARP has been reducing the number of homeless and unwanted cats in Tate and surrounding counties through birth control surgery. With no funding other than private grants and donations, the all-volunteer group finds it difficult to meet the needs of everyone who calls for help.
Feline overpopulation in Tate County communities is at epic proportions; the charity advises that when a stray cat shows up on your property, help your community and the cat: Get the cat to your veterinarian promptly to avoid cat overpopulation. And don’t forget to take your pets to your veterinarian for their rabies shots.
Rabies vaccination of pets is required by law in Mississippi.
“HARP volunteers give thanks for local health care providers like Parekh Medical Clinic who directly support efforts to improve the health of both cats and people in our community,” said HARP Director Denise Bynum.
If you cannot afford birth control surgery for your cats, call HARP at 662-292-0922. They may be able to help. If you’d like to learn more about the nonprofit and get a real-life glimpse into the animal welfare issues of our area, along with tips on how you can help, check out their book $5 For A Cat Head. Available at amazon.com, bn.com, or online at homelessanimalsreliefproject.org, ALL proceeds from the sale of this book go to cover costs of spay/neuter surgery for cats living with the poor in Tate County.
