Veterinary Clinic
Community Care
Dr. Clare and our vet staff are here five days a week to provide treatment for the dogs and cats in our care.
We are not a full-service public veterinary clinic, but we do provide limited services, pending availability, to low-income members of the public who need basic wellness exams, spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and microchips. Our vet staff also provides end-of-life care to all members of the public in need of this service.
We do not offer emergency, established, or continuing care for the public at this time.
Questions for our clinic staff, or want information about making an appointment? Read on for more information about our services, call (707) 964-7729 x1004, or use the form below.
Contact Our Veterinary Clinic
Mendocino Coast Humane Society
Spay and Neuter
Mendocino Coast Humane Society provides affordable spay and neuter procedures for pets in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation.
Why should you spay/neuter your pets?
To keep your pets safe, happy, and healthy! This procedure helps prevent certain cancers and avoids the high cost of caring for litters. It can help prevent bad behavior like running away from home to look for a mate, marking or spraying indoors, and some aggression issues.
Have questions about spay/neuter? Check out this FAQ here, and here’s more information from the University of California, Davis on how spay/neuter reduces health risks for your animals.
Your pet's age and vaccination history
- Dogs must be a minimum of 6 months.
- Cats must be a minimum of 4 months.
- Please bring your pet’s vaccination records.
- All animals should be fully vaccinated prior to surgery. We can give vaccinations at the time of surgery for a fee.
Your pet's health
We are designed to accept healthy animals for surgeries.
Inform us if your pet has any underlying health conditions.
If your pet has recently been sick, it is better to reschedule the appointment.
If your pet is currently presenting with symptoms of illness or has been diagnosed with a contagious disease, please do not bring them to the Shelter. Instead, please visit your regular veterinarian.
Mendocino Coast Humane Society
Vaccines
Vaccination is a quick procedure that provides your pet with critical protection against preventable illnesses that could cause severe illness, disability, or even death, in addition to infecting other animals in your household or community. You can learn more about the risks and benefits of vaccines here.
When calling to make a vaccination appointment, please provide information about your pet's vaccination history, if available. For rabies vaccines, we need your most recent rabies vaccination certificate.
Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for licensing dogs in the City of Fort Bragg or County of Mendocino.
In addition to canine rabies vaccines, we also offer bordatella and DAPP, a combination vaccine that protects your dogs from distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.
For cats, we offer feline rabies and FVRCP, a combination vaccine that protects your cat from rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, and panleukopenia.
You can read more about recommended vaccines and when to provide them at UC Davis.
We do not offer leptospirosis vaccines at this time.
Mendocino Coast Humane Society
Microchips
Microchipping is a simple and effective way to help ensure that your pet is returned to you if they become lost, or to prove ownership in the event of a dispute. A microchip is a device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the skin of your pet and contains a unique code we can use to look up your pet in a database. Microchips have no power source and do not transmit data unless they are scanned. They are designed to last safely for the length of your pet's life.
One of the biggest benefits of microchipping is that it provides permanent identification for your pet. Unlike a collar and tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip is a permanent identification solution. This is especially important if your pet becomes lost and is found by someone who is not familiar with them. With a microchip, animal control and veterinarians can quickly and easily identify your pet and contact you to arrange for their return.
“I don’t think it’s worth the trouble; how often do pets get lost anyway?”
- 1 in 3 pets will get lost during their lifetime
- 10 million pets get lost every year
- Without ID, 90% of lost pets never return home
“My pet never gets lost—they’re either with me or locked in the house.”
Pets DO get lost, in spite of the fact that many owners don’t anticipate it. It’s far better to be safe than sorry. Here are some of the most common ways that pets can get lost:
- A handyman or contractor accidentally lets your pet out
- Your cat escapes through an open window or a broken screen
- Your dog digs a hole and escapes under a fence
- While traveling together, your pet wanders off into unfamiliar territory
- A thunderstorm or fireworks display causes your pet to panic and flee
- An emergency situation or natural disaster causes your pet to get lost in the turmoil
- Your pet is stolen
“My dog already gets too many shots…I don’t want them to get another.”
While vaccinations are necessary to protect the health of your pet, microchip implantation may be the most important “shot” your pet receives. That’s because getting lost is the #1 cause of death in pets. The injection is no more uncomfortable than a routine vaccination and any discomfort will pass quickly. However, the protection provided will last for the life of your pet.
Isn’t implanting a microchip—a foreign object—dangerous for my pet?”
Veterinarians in the U.S. have been implanting microchips in pets since AVID introduced the first model in 1989. They are designed to be biocompatible, and while you may feel a small lump, it does not hurt your pet. Properly implanting the microchip is important to ensuring it is safe, which is why the procedure is done by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Mendocino Coast Humane Society
End of Life
Our veterinary clinic provides euthanasia to alleviate suffering among publicly-owned animals as part of our service to the community. We know that end of life hospice and palliative care, as well as euthanasia, can be a stressful time for you and your pet. We encourage you to think about quality of life and discuss these issues with your veterinarian ahead of time as you make decisions about euthanasia. Our staff can provide you with counseling and information to help you make an informed choice and Dr. Clare evaluates all requests for euthanasia on an individual basis.
You may find Lap of Love’s Quality of Life Scale and Quality of Life Assessment tools helpful.
When is it Time?
You know your pet better than anyone else. Some signs that it may be time to think about euthanasia can include:
- Severe pain, difficulty breathing, or other limiting symptoms that cannot be managed with medication or complementary medicine
- Refusing to eat or drink, or persistent vomiting
- Severe incontinence
- Significant sudden weight loss
- Slowing down and not showing interest in activities, not being excited about treats, being unable to stand and walk, or having difficulty with grooming and personal care
- Increasing anxiety, aggression, or other signs of emotional distress
Most regrets involve feeling like you have waited too long, rather than performing euthanasia too soon.
Things to Think About Before You Call
You can reach us during telephone hours from 10am-5pm Monday through Sunday (707-964-7729). Please be aware that we only have on-site vet staff Monday-Friday and public appointments are not always available. We are unable to respond to emergency/after hours calls and recommend you contact VCA Pet Care in Santa Rosa for emergencies (707-579-3900).
- Do you want to speak with a member of our vet staff before you arrive to ask questions or go over what to expect?
- Do you want to remain present with your pet?
- Do you want hair clippings, pawprints, or other mementos?
- Do you know what you want to do with your pet’s remains?
What to Expect
Our goal with all euthanasias is a peaceful, loving process and we treat your pets with the same respect and care that we would our own. We can perform euthanasia services in-car (dogs only) or in our family room at off hours while the shelter is quiet. We recommend discussing your comfort level with remaining present for euthanasia with our staff when you call to make your appointment. You may remain present for any or all stages of the process.
Our vet staff start by providing a sedative injection that will allow your pet to relax and fall asleep. After your animal is fully sedated, we will administer euthanasia and confirm that your animal has passed. You may take all the time you need with your pet before leaving them in our care or taking them with you.
If you would like mementos such as paw prints or hair clippings, please let our staff know at the time of your appointment.
Please discuss arrangements for disposition ahead of time. We may be able to accept remains for communal cremation (you will not receive ashes).
If you are interested in private cremation or burial, you may make arrangements with:
- Yokayo Veterinary Clinic (707-462-8625, Ukiah)
- Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park (707-255-3456, Napa)
- Whispering Pines Pet Cemetery (707-823-5735, Sebastopol)
- Humane Society of Sonoma (707-542-0882, Santa Rosa)
Pet Loss Resources
The bond between people and their pets is intense and personal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Here are some resources including literature, hotlines, and support groups that you may find helpful: