Seattle Veterinary Outreach, a vital non-profit organization providing essential veterinary services to pets of low-income families and those experiencing homelessness, faced a significant setback as its mobile vet clinic was stolen and later recovered on Thursday afternoon. Despite its retrieval, the ambulance sustained severe damage, leaving a profound impact on the community it serves.
The theft occurred at approximately 7 a.m. Thursday morning, leaving board members of Seattle Veterinary Outreach stunned and deeply troubled. Christie Lo, a board member, expressed dismay, highlighting the ambulance’s crucial role as the organization’s mobile clinic, housing all necessary equipment for their pet care services. “This is not just a vehicle, you know, this is truly a mobile clinic,” Lo emphasized, underscoring the ambulance’s integral role in their operations.
Seattle Veterinary Outreach specializes in providing veterinary care for pets belonging to individuals facing financial hardships or homelessness, offering not only medical assistance but also connecting owners with essential social services. Rose Symotiuk, the board president, lamented the distressing consequences of the theft, noting how the organization often encounters individuals who prioritize their pets’ well-being over their own. “We’ll see people with open wounds, they won’t take care of themselves, but they’ll bring in their pets, and dote on them love on them and spend all their money on their animal,” Symotiuk remarked, reflecting on the profound bond between owners and their beloved animals.
Over the past five years, Seattle Veterinary Outreach has tirelessly served thousands of pets, catering to approximately 50 to 60 animals per week. Symotiuk described the theft as “devastating,” emphasizing the long queues of pet owners who rely on the clinic’s services, often traveling from various parts of the state to seek assistance for their animals.
The situation took a hopeful turn when Everett Police notified the organization that the stolen ambulance had been recovered by Thursday afternoon. However, the relief was short-lived as it became evident that the ambulance had suffered extensive damage, with windows shattered and the interior ransacked. Rachel Raj, the executive director, lamented the loss of vital medications and medical equipment, rendering the ambulance unusable despite its return.
The thieves made off with valuable equipment, including a new generator, and inflicted damage to the ambulance’s ignition, further exacerbating the organization’s challenges. Raj highlighted the recent investment in medication, underscoring the pressing need for flea control and anti-parasitic treatments in the community. The cancellation of an upcoming clinic in Everett, a critical service for Snohomish County residents, added to the organization’s woes.
Despite the setback, Raj remained resolute, affirming the organization’s commitment to overcoming adversity and continuing their essential work. “We’ll get there, we’re going to get back out there, just get through today,” Raj affirmed, embodying the resilience and determination of Seattle Veterinary Outreach.
Funded primarily through donations and grants, the non-profit faces an uphill battle in recovering from the theft and ensuring the continuity of its vital services to the community.
