For thirteen years, Dr. David Slocum of the Hazel Dell Animal Hospital has run a free health clinic for the pets of the homeless and the poor. The clinic takes place the second Saturday of every other month at Share House, a local homeless shelter. For his exceptional work on behalf of the welfare of animals, Dr. Slocum will be awarded the Noah’s Ark Animal Compassion Award this Sunday during our animal blessing service at 10 am. Dr. Slocum will be the first recipient of this award that we plan to give annually in recognition of those who act with notable care and compassion for the wellbeing of animals.
On average, Dr. Slocum treats 20 dogs and 20 cats at each clinic. In addition to administering numerous vaccines, he often treats skin problems and fleas. Dr. Slocum also collects food for the animals of the homeless and poor that is then distributed through FISH, a Vancouver food bank, and Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a Ridgefield non-profit organization that assists people with food and clothing. In 2010, Slocum collected 2145 pounds of pet food for distribution.
This is not the first award that Dr. Slocum has received for his charitable activities. In 2004, Heifer International named Slocum one of their Volunteers of the Year. Heifer International is a non-profit organization that seeks to alleviate poverty and hunger by providing families with animals such as cows and goats. Through Heifer, Slocum has traveled to Albania, Armenia, and Honduras to treat the animals of impoverished families and teach them about the health and nutritional needs of their animals.
At his clinic, Dr. Slocum does not work alone. He works with his wife Judy Enders. The two are known locally as tireless volunteers and advocates. They spend many nights each winter volunteering at Vancouver’s Winter Hospitality Overflow shelter and Operation Nightwatch, a Portland-based program that serves food to the homeless. Church members often wonder how he finds time to be a vet with all of the hours he devotes to service projects. It would seem that he has two full time jobs.