By: Maria Allard | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published June 29, 2022
EASTPOINTE — On June 10, members of the community and local dignitaries — and a few precious pooches — came out for the grand opening of the new APAWS Veterinary Hospital at 21300 Kelly Road.
“We had quite a large crowd today,” Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Director Sandra Maki said via email.
APAWS stands for Animal Protection and Welfare Services, and was founded by Theresa Sumpter, who also is the executive director. Sumpter also founded Detroit Pit Crew rescue, and the two nonprofit organizations work hand-in-hand.
Detroit Pit Crew rescues stray, destitute, injured and sick dogs in Detroit that need immediate medical care. The rescue charity also provides safe holding for dogs that are part of animal cruelty or neglect cases.
APAWS is a full-service veterinary hospital. The clinic came about when many of the local veterinary hospitals couldn’t see the animals rescued through Detroit Pit Crew because of COVID-19.
“They were no longer allowing us access to their clinics. It became a very desperate time for pet owners,” Sumpter said. “They had to have less staff for the safety of everyone (during COVID-19). Some vets are booked out months in advance.”
In January, APAWS bought the 6,000-square-foot building that was once an asthma and allergy clinic. The mission of APAWS is to provide low-cost veterinary services to local rescues and to the community.
“APAWS services 15 different organizations as well as the general public,” Sumpter said.
APAWS also will assist local law enforcement by providing temporary holding and medical care to domesticated animals that are part of animal cruelty or neglect cases.
The new veterinary hospital has two full surgical suites, three isolation rooms, one X-ray room, five examination rooms and one serenity room. Services offered include exams, vaccinations, feline spay and neuter, laboratory and diagnostics, dental cleanings, digital X-rays, and dog and cat acupuncture, natural healing, and pain relief.
APAWS is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Sumpter would like to eventually add weekend hours, but currently, there is one veterinarian and more are needed. About 10 staff members work at the veterinary hospital.
“We are desperately looking for more vets,” Sumpter said. “We would like to have four or five.”
Appointments are needed, “but we also take emergency calls,” Sumpter said.
“It was great,” Sumpter said of the grand opening. “We had a lot of community support.”
For more information on the new APAWS clinic, visit apawsdetroit.com or call (586) 619-8000.
For more information on Detroit Pit Crew, visit detroitpitcrew.com.