McAfee Animal Hospital lends a helping paw

McAfee Animal Hospital lends a helping paw

It’s the season of giving: a time to help loved ones, charitable groups, and organizations in need. Whether it’s time, money, or resources, any donation can make a positive impact on the community, which is why it is a top priority for the team at McAfee Animal Hospital (MAH).

Owners who take their pets to MAH know all about the hospital’s extensive compassion and charitable work for the communities they serve. In any given month, MAH works to give back to the community that has supported them through nearly 80 years of caring for Northwest Indiana pets. 

“We try and give back to the community any chance we get,” said Jennette Rudzinski, a manager at MAH. “We do it for a lot of reasons. For one, it helps boost morale within the clinic when we’re all working for a greater purpose, especially when we can make a difference within our community and build social connections.”

Whether it’s collecting hats and mittens for Hilltop Neighborhood House, or offering veterinary expertise to animal rescue groups, the MAH team is there to lend a helping hand. The American Greyhound Association, United Way of Porter County, Lakeshore PAWS, and the Independent Cat Society are just a handful of the organizations the clinic supports. 

“We really try to help and share our resources with the community to the best of our ability,” Rudzinski said. “We’re very grateful for the community we live in and honored to be a part of it.”

The winter months can be pretty harsh in Northwest Indiana, to say the least. To help, MAH has been hosting a hat and mitten drive at the clinic for the Hilltop Neighborhood House during the month of December.

“Anyone who brings either one of those items is given $5 off their invoice,” Rudzinski said. “We also do a food drive for them during the month of July.”

MAH’s charitable work is deeply rooted in the clinic’s history and in the core of the company’s values.

“Dr. Larry McAfee has built MAH as a business that gives back to the community,” she said. “For the last 11 years, we’ve hosted a blood drive here at MAH with the American Red Cross in the spring, and last month we helped Dunes Dog Training Club with Pets N Vets.”

The Pets N Vets program offers obedience training classes for veterans and their dogs at no cost. During the month of November, MAH was accepting donations for the program. For every donation received, Dr. McAfee matched the donation amount to the Pets N Vets program.

MAH also works with the United Way of Porter County for their annual Day of Caring. 

“We have a whole team that goes out and participates,” Rudzinski said. “Dr. Larry does the Take a Kid Fishing at his pond. It’s one of his favorite activities.”

Between the various charity programs MAH is hosting, the clinic routinely lends their veterinary care expertise to help animals in need.

“We have animals coming in for vaccinations, or spay and neuter from the Independent Cat Society, the Porter County Animal Shelter and Open Arms Animal Rescue to name a few. At least once a month we go out to a few of those organizations to help them on locations as well,” she added.

And it’s not just pets the MAH is helping. The clinic works a lot with Humane Indiana Wildlife. MAH has sponsored the Wildlife Celebration at Sunset Hill Park for the last few years and provides staffing, monetary donations, and education.

“We feel like educating people on wildlife is important. We also provide medical assistance if an animal is injured or hurt,” Rudzinski said. “Dr. Larry takes pride in educating and helping people, pets, and wildlife. It’s a nice way to give back to the community that’s been with us for so many years.”

For more information on McAfee Animal Hospital and the services they offer at their clinic, visit their website or call 219-462-5901.