The awards from campus and the White House are nice, but a student club’s “pet” project in Sacramento — the Mercer Clinic for the pets of homeless people — has a more pressing need: financial support from the community.
The clinic, established more than 20 years ago, is on the grounds of Loaves & Fishes, which provides food, shelter and other services for homeless people. The Mercer Clinic takes care of their pets, free of charge, the second Saturday of every month.
UC Davis students comprise the majority of the staff. But, beyond being a registered student organization, the clinic is independent of the university.
The Mercer team is all volunteer: veterinary students (including the second-years who run the clinic with help from a board of directors), undergraduates, veterinary faculty and staff, and community veterinary personnel.
As a nonprofit, and without charging for its services, the clinic is dependent on donations of money and supplies to keep going.
Of paramount importance now: A drive to help pay for building upgrades. The clinic is halfway to its goal of $100,000 to transform two trailers into a facility that meets city rules as well as American Veterinary Medical Association standards. Read more and see how you can help.
Community service awards
Earlier this month, the clinic received an Outstanding Community Service Award from the UC Davis Internship and Career Center and the Community Service Resource Center.
“The Mercer Clinic provides an extraordinary opportunity for community veterinarians and UC Davis veterinarians, staff, veterinary students and undergraduate students to give back and provide crucial support to an underserved community very close to our campus community,” said Jeanne Shelby, associate director of the Internship and Career Center, which nominated the clinic for the award.
Volunteer hours at the clinic in 2014-15 exceed 8,840 hours, Shelby said, calling the figure a conservative estimate.
Also this month, the Mercer Clinic received a Presidential Award for Community Service — complete with a plaque, pin and certificate signed by President Obama.
Rachel Ferris joined the clinic staff as a freshman and has been there every year since, through her graduation in 2013 (Bachelor of Science in wildlife, fish and conservation biology) and now into her second year as a vet student.
“I personally have gained so much … from practical skills to the joy of helping others, and to be recognized by both the university and the president for this work is a great honor and a boost to our spirits,” said Ferris, who served as the clinic's head coordinator this year.
She joined Professor Laurel Gershwin, faculty adviser to the Mercer Clinic student organization, in expressing gratitude to the community for its support in our efforts to continue providing this service.
Next week, the clinic will receive a Chancellor’s Civic Engagement Award, including a $1,000 prize.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu