MUSKEGON, Mich. — Big Lake Community Animal Clinic provides low-cost vet care for people and pets in need, but it’s financially struggling right now.
The clinic has made a big impact in the community, but it needs support.
Two years ago, Big Lake Humane Society in Muskegon decided to take on this new venture of a vet clinic. However, it’s losing thousands of dollars a month in operating revenue.
You can help the clinic stay open and continue its life-saving mission.
Meet Toni Haskins-Norris and her dog Sparkle.
“She’s my baby,” Haskins-Norris said.
The pair never miss an opportunity to visit the staff at Big Lake Community Animal Clinic.
“I love them very much. I really do, you know. I would do anything for them and I know they will do anything for me,” Haskins-Norris said.
Haskins-Norris is on a fixed income.
“I like to pay my bills, and I like to, you know, do the best I can, but I had turned to some hard points, you know, in life, with being disabled,” Haskins-Norris said.
She says without Big Lake it would be hard to get medical care for Sparkle.
“We started here because they do help out. You know, they help us, those that, unfortunately, that can't pay that big price, you know,” Haskins-Norris said.
Before it was owned by Big Lake the space was a low-cost vaccine clinic called Pay it Forward.
“They contacted us in June of 2022, and we signed the papers at the end of July to take over ownership of this building,” said Alexis Robertson, executive director of the Big Lake Community Animal Clinic.
Big Lake expanded services to include spay and neuter surgery, dental cleanings and so much more.
“We offer everything except X-rays if we need to, you know, send you elsewhere to help we will, but know that we help make things as affordable as possible,” said Clinic Manager Leah Wetmore.
Since 2023, Big Lake Community Animal Clinic has been able to vaccinate more than 3,600 pets and sterilize about 2,000 shelter animals and owned pets. Plus, they have provided more than 16,000 pounds of pet food to families in need.
“You know that is such a blessing when, not just when you know that they will help take care of your animal body, but their soul and their stomach,” Haskins-Norris said.
However, keeping prices low have caused a financial strain.
“Operating costs are expensive, medication is expensive, insurance regulations, all of those things are expensive for us to operate. So, since we've been in operation, we lose about $10,000 a month in operating revenue,” Robertson said.
A kitten receives treatment after a severe allergic reaction to medication.
Mango the cat, a found stray, had to have eye removal surgery.
Without the critical care they received here at Big Lake, they might not have survived.
“It's sad to see the pets that go so long because there is nothing out there to help them, and that's why we need to be here,” Wetmore said. “We need to be able to help the ones that don't have all the money in the world, to be able to because they still love and want to care for their pets. It's not that it's just the availability and just the price of things.”
Robertson hopes this story will raise awareness.
“The more that we talk about this issue, I think it'll be mirrored among other organizations that are also struggling, and we just don't talk about these things that much, because we want our community to feel secure in supporting us and that their donations are going to have the longevity that donors want them to have, and we certainly have that ambition, but we need that support to come first so we're able to sustain ourselves,” Robertson said.
Big Lake Community Animal Clinic is dedicated to people and pets of Muskegon County, and you can make sure it succeeds for years to come.
There are several ways you can help like donating or hosting fundraiser. Big Lake is always looking to build relationships and partnerships with local businesses. You can also leave a legacy gift in your estate plans.
The shelter recently held a very successful fundraiser.
The Jordan's Way Tour raised more than $20,000. This means the shelter and clinic are starting the new quarter in good standing, but the money will only go so far and they could still use the community's support.
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