A veterinary clinic wants to ensure that animals whose owners are affected by the government shutdown receive care.
Officials at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Falls Twp. announced they are expanding services at the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic to government employees impacted by the federal shutdown, which is entering its fifth week.
Robin Olson, the sanctuary’s director of development, said they decided to offer the clinic to those affected by the shutdown as a way to help people care for their pets.
“I think we’re just trying to think of everyone who might be experiencing hardships right now that might not otherwise think of us as a resource,” she said. “We’re sensitive to folks who might find themselves in a position of choosing whether to feed their family or take care of their beloved animals.”
The clinic opened in summer 2023, initially to provide services to nonprofit animal rescue organizations and shelters in the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, and began offering discounted services to low-income individuals last year.
Olson said those affected by the shutdown interested in getting services at the clinic can fill out an application online showing their income will decrease because of the shutdown. Clients normally have to provide proof their income is below the federal poverty threshold — ranging from $15,650 for an individual to $54,150 for an eight-person household.
“In general, anybody that gives us a call, we’re happy to walk through the process,” Olson said.
Services include exams, microchipping, vaccines, prescribing medications, and spaying or neutering. Animals of all varieties are welcome, except wild animals. The clinic employs two veterinarians, Dr. Leslie Interlandi and Dr. Melissa Resnick, who was hired in May to allow the clinic to be open some evenings and weekends, and several veterinary technicians and receptionists.
Many federal employees missed their first full paycheck at the end of last week. The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame, according to the Associated Press.
Both parties remain at an impasse in negotiations to fund the government. Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. President Donald Trump and GOP leaders say they’ll consider extending the enhanced tax credits that otherwise expire at year’s end — but only after Democrats vote to reopen the government, according to the Associated Press. In the meantime, people enrolled in the plans are already being notified of hefty premium increases for 2026.
Olson said the sanctuary has already received inquiries about the expanded service to state and federal employees, including from a couple, both federal employees, who are both furloughed as a result of the shutdown.
“We know that a lot of those folks are not being paid and if they’re in a situation where their animal is due for a vaccine or needs to be spayed or neutered or has some kind of acute illness … and they’re choosing, do I go to the grocery store and feed my family or do I take my animal to a veterinarian for a service that I might not be able to afford … we can lessen that burden,” Olson said. “If we can help lessen that burden and make that more affordable and help make that choice easier for them, that’s what our goal is.”