Cassat Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting for Brand New First Coast No More Homeless Pets Low-Cost Veterinary Hospital
10,000 Square Foot Facility to Serve 300 Pets Daily
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, May 9, 2016 –Donors and local pet owners were present for the grand opening of First Coast No More Homeless Pets’ (FCNMHP) new, low-cost veterinary hospital on Cassat Avenue on Jacksonville’s Westside. The ribbon was cut by Dr. Charles Moreland, Director Of Community Affairs for Mayor Lenny Curry, Rick DuCharme, Executive Director of FCNMHP, Karen Meader, representing the Petco Foundation, and major donors Mary Lou Russell, Joseph A. Strasser.
As part of the celebration, Karen Meader, Petco National Adoption Program Manager, presented a check from the Petco Foundation for $292,500 in support of the new hospital as well as FCNMHP’s Mega and Super Adoption events.
To celebrate the occasion, FCNMHP is offering a FREE rabies vaccine and exam ($39 value) for the first 500 clients.  Pets must have a city license to receive the vaccine, which is available for $20. The new hospital is staffed and ready to take any appointments from noon – 8 p.m. that day. Thereafter, it will be open seven days a week, from 9 am – 8 pm Monday – Friday, 9 am -5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
The new facility will be able to serve triple the number of people and pets as FCNMHP’s current clinic on Norwood Avenue. With 12 exam rooms, a dental lab, surgery suites, intensive care and isolation rooms, a lab and pharmacy, and a pet grooming area, this state-of-the-art veterinary hospital allows FCNMHP to help more families in need of affordable veterinary care.
“When we started to look around for a second location, it became obvious that there was one part of Jacksonville that was a desert for veterinary services,†said Rick DuCharme, FCNMHP’s Founder and Executive Director. “This will be one of the largest veterinary hospitals in the country, treating an area that is underserved and in need of low-cost, high quality veterinary services.â€
After the ribbon cutting, guests were able to join Rick and FCNMHP staff for a tour of the Mary Lou Russell Animal Welfare Complex and the Joseph A. Strasser Veterinary Hospital.
Download ALL PHOTOS (from the last 6 months)
*the above download is very large at 1.12 GB
Ribbon Cutting Photos (5/9/16)
Quick Facts
- The veterinary hospital is located at 464 Cassat Avenue, Jacksonville.
- FCNMHP veterinary services are approximately 40 percent less expensive than the average cost of a veterinarian.
- The Jacksonville Pet Food Bank is a FCNMHP program that has distributed more than a million pound of pet food to income-qualified pet owners. The Pet Food Bank will be operated out of the new Cassat hospital.
- Appointments can be made by calling 904.425.0005.
- The new veterinary hospital will employ approximately 30 people, with many from the Northwest neighborhoods.
- Revenue from the operation of the veterinary hospital will help support FCNMHP’s other programs, including targeted spay/neuter surgeries, large adoption events and the Pet Food Bank.
About First Coast No More Homeless Pets
The mission of First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP) is to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters in our community, Northeast Florida, and nation. Programs offering free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries are available and to date more than 200,000 surgeries have been performed. The euthanasia rate in Jacksonville has been reduced by 97% since FCNMHP was founded in 2002. FCNMHP hosts large adoption events, inviting shelters and rescues across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia to bring their homeless pets. To date these events have found homes for more than 11,000 pets. FCNMHP provides funds for medically injured pets that have no one to pay, operates Feral Freedom, hosts the country’s largest adoption events, runs the Jacksonville Pet Food Bank for low-income residents, which has distributed in excess of one million pounds of food since 2010, and more.
Make an Appointment
Whether it’s time for a wellness exam or you notice that your critter just isn’t acting the same, schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable, caring medical team. Call the number below to schedule your appointment either at the Cassat or Norwood locations.
If your animal is experiencing an emergency, please seek immediate veterinary attention at our clinic/hospital or the closest emergency clinic!
We require that all cats enter our facility in a box, carrier, or cage. We have boxes for sale for $8:50 at the front desk if you do not have one (come in to purchase before bringing the cat in). This policy in enacted for your cat’s safety, so thank you for understanding.
Request an Appointment Below* or Call (904) 425-0005
*This form does not officially schedule an appointment. A Customer Service Representative will reach out to you to schedule the appointment within 48 hours.