Rowlett veterinary clinic helps pets get their people back

pup1 from fb — Photo: Premier Vet Care Animal Clinic Facebook Page

(ROWLETT, TX – Jan. 5, 2015) When veterinarian Dr. Josh Cope caught a glimpse of the Dec. 26 tornadoes from his home, his first thoughts were on his clinic Premier Vet Care on Lakeview Parkway. As he traveled through Rowlett to check it for damage in the aftermath of the storms, he was appalled by the destruction and helplessness around him.

As Cope arrived at the clinic, he was relieved to find it structurally unharmed. However, dozens of lost and injured pets were waiting for him at the doors. Cope said his heart was filled with compassion for them.

“Only 90 minutes after the tornado, we posted to Facebook offering shelter and hospitalization for lost or hurt pets,” Cope said. “I decided we weren’t going to charge at all.”

pup2 from fb — Photo: Premier Vet Care Animal Clinic Facebook Page

Copes said two of the biggest immediate goals were medical treatment for badly injured animals and reunification of lost pets to their owners. He and his staff sprung into action to begin treating animals as they came while simultaneously posting photographs of rescued pets to Facebook.

Initially, Cope was uncertain of how to cover the costs his business would incur from the expensive medical supplies necessary for the free treatment of so many animals. Eventually, he and his staff set up a fundraising website using GoFundMe.com. Within a few days the total accumulated donations topped $26,000. Copes said this allowed him to give all of the animals the highest quality care.

“These pets got great care that they otherwise couldn’t have gotten,” Cope said. “ We had a donation today from a 6 year old boy and from a 99 year old woman. There is so much goodness and generosity in the hearts of the people of Rowlett.”

Ashley Scott, a Pre Veterinary Medicine student at Sam Houston State University who grew up in Rockwall, shadows Cope at the clinic while she is home from school. Scott said observing the community support was inspiring to witness.

“With the help of donations we were able to provide free X-rays and ultrasounds and fluids and medicine for the animals who need it,” Scott said. “It’s a great feeling when we get to zero out people’s medical bill.”

For the next few days after the disaster, the clinic was full to the brim with lost pets. Originally equipped with kennel space for 30 animals, it found space for 90. Cope said this was made possible by numerous donations from surrounding neighbors. Community members donated blankets and crates, cat and dog food, litter and more.

The clinic staff asked for volunteers to help walk dogs and wash blankets, and Cope said people from around town came within 15 minutes. Soon his staff created an online sign-up schedule which filled up and overflowed with volunteers.

pup3 — Photo: Premier Vet Care Animal Clinic Facebook Page

Cope became concerned about disease breaking out amongst such a large number of animals in such a small space, so he contacted a pharmaceutical company to ask for assistance. The company agreed to donate vaccines for kennel cough and microchips for all of the animals.

Scott said that once the animals were thoroughly treated and their owners were identified, watching them reunite with their families was a heart-warming sight.

“There are a lot of tears, both from the owners and from the people who work at the clinic,” Scott said. “We’ve had people who lost everything, and they found their best friend who they probably thought was lost forever. I can’t imagine how happy I would be if I were in that situation. And the dogs and cats are even happier. They have their person back, and to them that’s their whole life.”

Cope said although treating, bathing, mircochipping, and returning the animals is exhausting work, watching them return to their owners makes it all worthwhile.

Now as Cope continues to search for the owners of the remaining lost pets, he is partnering with the Rowlett Animal Shelter. The shelter sends him sick animals to treat, and he sends the shelter healthy animals who still need to find a good home. Some owners are still missing and still others were unable to take their pets back, and as a result there are many pets looking for foster homes or forever homes.

Cope said the most helpful tool in this process has been social media. Photos of the animals appearing on facebook have reunited most of them with their owners, and can be used to encourage adoptions of other pets.

Scott this experience has made her further appreciate the staff at the clinic and especially Cope as her mentor.

“He’s shown me a lot and has been a great example for me on how to be a caring, compassionate, Christian vet in a time of crisis,” Scott said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the people who work at Premier Vet Care.”

Cope praised the Rowlett community for their spirit of encouragement and goodwill in the midst of disaster.

“People’s goodness has come out,” Cope said. “People understand that despite our differences we are all equal and we should all love each other. It kind of gives you hope for the future.”

Story and photos by Julie Anne White, Blue Ribbon News reporter.

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