Norwich – The sluggish economy in southeastern Connecticut hasn't only affected families but their pets as well, so several human services and pet advocate agencies have teamed up to offer free pet wellness clinics this summer.

With funding through a grant from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, the Connecticut Humane Society, St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich Human Services, Animal Control and the city clerk's office have organized pet wellness clinics for the pets of local low-income families.

On Wednesday, the third of five planned clinics will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Buckingham Memorial Building, 307 Main St., Norwich. The free clinic will offer pet health exams, rabies and distemper vaccines, heartworm tests, deworming treatment if needed, flea and tick prevention collars, nail trims, pet food and even free dog licenses to Norwich dogs.

Connecticut Humane Society Executive Director Gordon G. Willard estimated the average value of the full pet services offered is about $265. Organizers keeping statistics on the clinics said about 70 percent of the animals seen at the first two clinics have never been to a vet.

About 82 percent of the 38 dogs owned by Norwich families had never been licensed before, City Clerk Betsy Barrett said. St. Vincent and Norwich Human Services share the cost of licensing the Norwich dogs.

“The idea is to help lower income families who have pets to better care for their pets,” said St. Vincent case worker Julie Way. “Sometimes the pets come last in what needs to be done.”

Way said that while the clinics are free to anyone, the organizers hope people who can afford regular pet medical care will defer to low-income families who otherwise could not obtain vet care.

St. Vincent launched the idea on its own at first, with a December pet wellness clinic held in conjunction with All Friends Animal Hospital in Norwich. Barrett came and licensed 20 Norwich dogs.

In spring, the Humane Society received a $35,000 grant from the Community Foundation's Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment to partner with several local agencies and expand the pet wellness clinics. The Humane Society brings 10 to 13 staff and volunteers, including a veterinarian, vet tech, two pet handlers and support staff.

The first full partnership clinics were held in May and June and were open to New London County residents.

Combined, the clinics have seen 179 animals and gave full exams to 80 dogs and cats. The partners reported giving out 176 Seresto brand long-lasting flea and tick collars and 3,700 pounds of free pet food to owners.

So far, no major illnesses have been detected. If that occurs, owners would be referred to the Connecticut Humane Society full-service clinic in Newington, Willard said. Thus far, 64 percent of pets seen were not spayed or neutered. Those owners also might be referred to the Newington clinic for discount services, Willard said.

But Willard stressed that officials at the free clinics will not lecture owners about licensing, neutering or vaccinations.

“If you stand on a soap box, you're not going to get anywhere,” Willard said.

No appointments are necessary for the clinic, but Elizabeth Timpe, community outreach manager for the Humane Society, said she has several follow-up appointments on Wednesday for pets seen at previous clinics who needed booster vaccines or other follow-up care. Others will wait outside the Buckingham Memorial to be called in order to see the vet.

If time runs out pets still waiting at least will receive flea and tick collars, pet food and pet resources fliers, Timpe said.

The final two grant-funded clinics will be held in August and September at the Buckingham Memorial.

Willard said the Humane Society would like to expand the clinics to other areas of the state if it could obtain grant funding, partners or enough donations to run the program.

“The goal of this kind of program is very community oriented, to work with the community,” Willard said. “We certainly expect there is a bigger audience than Norwich, but it's targeted for Norwich now.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Norwich Pet Wellness Clinic for New London County residents

Wednesday, July 20, 1-4 p.m., no appointment necessary.

Buckingham Memorial Building, lower rear, 307 Main St., Norwich

Free pet health exam, flea and tick collars, nail trims, vaccinations, pet food, dog licenses for Norwich dogs.

Dogs on leashes, cats in carriers.