Veterinarian Giving Free Treatment To Pets Who Lost Homes In Valley Fire
LAKE COUNTY (CBS13) – Lake County will need years to recover from the Valley Fire. Many people lost everything.
A veterinarian is going above and beyond to make sure that when it comes to their pets, people don't have to worry.
After treating hundreds of animals after the Valley Fire, they all start to run together, but not for veterinarian Jeff Smith. He owns Middletown Veterinary Hospital, one of the few buildings that made it through the fire. Today he is using his building to answer his community's call for help, and he's doing it all for free.
RELATED: UC Davis Treats Dozens Of Pets Badly Burned In Butte, Valley Fires
"We lost everything; we don't have money to take care of our animals," said Irma Negreti, whose home was destroyed by the fire.
Negreti lost her house and all but one of her dogs in the fire. That dog's treatments are free; the medicines are fee; the food is free. Dr. Smith is not only treating animals pro bono, he is also running a donation center for families to come get food and supplies for their animals.
"I think when you have that pet, you have that kind of solace or feeling of compassion, unconditional love that you get from them that helps you get through the loss of these physical things," said Dr. Smith.
It's a noble cause, but not a cheap one. Dr. Smith still has to pay his staff, buy medicine and keep the hospital up and running. Dr. Smith started a Go Fund Me account to keep his doors open and continue caring for animals.
RELATED: Middletown Couple Finds Wedding Ring Thought Lost In Valley Fire
"I don't have money to feed them, and then I see that they are helping everyone; and that was amazing for me it was just...it opened my heart. It was one less thing on my heart to worry about it," he said.
"I don't have money to feed them and then I see that they are helping everyone and that was amazing for me it was just, it opened my heart. It was one less thing on my heart to worry about it," said Negreti.
