Catnip Acres reopening plans advance
WAYNESBURG – Catnip Acres, the nonprofit animal clinic that closed its doors in Waynesburg at the end of June, is making plans to reopen at the former Waynesburg Roller Skating Rink in Morrisville.
The organization was granted a special exception Monday by Franklin Township Zoning Hearing Board to operate an animal hospital/clinic at the building at 175 Wade St.
Catnip Acres, which is leasing about 400 square feet of office space in the former skating rink, can begin its operations as soon as it receives an occupancy permit, township code officer Steve Coss said.
Jamie Makrush, practice director for the clinic, said Thursday that a few things still have to be done before the clinic will be ready to open. Some painting has to be finished and flooring installed at the clinic’s new site, she said. The clinic also has to hire a receptionist and a veterinarian technician.
“We’re hoping once we get everything in place, we can open mid- to late-October, though it will probably be closer to the end of the month,” she said.
The clinic has already found a new full-time veterinarian, Dr. Lyn Shelton of Clarksville, who has more than 20 years of experience, Makrush said. Shelton has been practicing in the Pittsburgh area and had wanted to work a little closer to home, she said.
Catnip Acres operated its low-cost animal clinic at 678 E. High St. until June 30. The center closed after Carol Pultorak, the organization’s founder, announced she was retiring. The clinic also was in need of a more suitable location and money to help make the transition to a new site.
The organization has been holding fundraisers for the clinic and has volunteers willing to help it do whatever has to be done, Makrush said.
“We have our supporters, who are so loyal, and there is such a great need for animal care in this area,” Makrush said. “People really rallied.”
The clinic also benefited from Pultorak’s assistance and her knowledge about operating a clinic, Makrush said. Pultorak has been helping the clinic re-start, but then plans to focus her efforts on running a cat sanctuary at her Franklin Township home, she said.
Once the clinic opens, it plans to operate 40 hours a week and possibly offer some weekend and evening hours, Makrush said.
The clinic will offer basic veterinarian care for cats and dogs. It also will continue its spay and neuter program, which includes a trap and release program for feral cats, and regular vaccinations.
“We will still be affordable,” Makrush said.
The clinic and its volunteers are now raising money through fundraisers and have prepared a business plan through which it hopes to obtain a grant from the county, she said.
“I think it will be lot easier to sustain ourselves,” Makrush said about when the clinic begins operating full-time.
The organization is now holding fundraisers, which include the sales of a lottery calendar and T-shirts.
“We’ve had tons of support. Every day we’re getting phone calls asking when we’re going to re-open,” Makrush said.
“Greene County really needs this service, that’s why we’re all doing this.”