The mobile clinic arrived in the area about a month ago from Indiana, where it was manufactured to the league's special needs by a company called Motiv, said Star Silva, director of the league.
"We have already had four clinics in the two weeks we've been open," Silva said.
Brad Sheldon and Mary Hoffman, owners of Next Dimensions, have set aside space in the restaurant's rear parking lot on Alt. U.S. 40 for the mobile clinic. The restaurant also furnishes electricity and water when the clinic is in operation.
"People bring their animals to us or we go get them and bring them here," Silva said.
She said that the restaurant owners --Â who are adoptive and foster parents for pets -- wanted to support the league's mobile clinic.
The clinic is open Thursdays and Saturdays by appointment only. Silva said the clinic has seen 25 to 30 animals each of the four days it has been open so far.
So far, Dr. Briardo Reich, a West Virginia veterinarian, does same-day surgical procedures and more, Silva said.
Once the animals are on the table and anesthetized, they get needed vaccinations, treatment for ear mites or whatever else is needed, Silva said.
"We bought the equipment piece by piece," Silva said, proudly showing off the stainless steel interior of the trailer.
The cost is $50 for spaying and a rabies vaccination; $45 for neutering and a rabies vaccination. For those unable to pay, there are some resources to help lessen the costs.
Grants from Ecolab, PetSmart and Petco can be used to defray the cost of spaying, Silva said. The rest comes from donations, as well as other sources, such as the admission fees charged Sunday at the picnic.
League members will help trap and transport animals to the clinic site, she said.
"Afterward, the pets go home with their owners," Silva said.
Ronda Tiffany of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., has been a league member for about a year.
"I've had a lot of animals and I've tried to get help before," she said. "The league really did help me."
Tiffany and other volunteers were dodging raindrops Sunday afternoon at the outdoor event, helping spread the word about the league's work.
"Now Ronda is helping us," Silva said.
The league also maintains a pet food bank, working closely with animal-control agencies in the four-state area, Silva said.
Items needed for the new trailer include a large dog scale, surgical packs, puppy pads, rubbing alcohol and peroxide, old towels, cotton swabs, bleach, cat carriers, humane cat traps and old newspapers.
For more information about the mobile spay/neuter clinic, the hours, or to make donations, go to www.promise.petfinder.org; send e-mail to star.silva@promise.org; or call 304-279-3713.
