THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996               TAG: 9604160167
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS          PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

PET TRANSPORT VEHICLE NEW SERVICE OF SPCA MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO TAKE THEIR ANIMALS TO A VETERINARIAN OR TO THE SHELTER.

The Norfolk SPCA has made it easier for city residents who have difficulty getting their pets to the veterinarian or to the shelter for adoption.

The organization has started an animal transport program. SPCA staff will pick up pets from Norfolk residents' homes, take the animals to veterinarians at any location in the city and return them home the same day for a $20 round-trip fee.

Citizens desiring to put their pets up for adoption can have the animals retrieved for $15, with all paperwork done at the time of pick-up.

The service, already used by several residents, was started in early April. The transport concept was initiated by SPCA kennel supervisor Mary Reed.

``We used to have this back in Massachusetts, and it was very convenient for the public, especially the elderly,'' said Reed, who was an ambulance driver for the SPCA in Boston.

According to Reed, no other Hampton Roads SPCA or animal shelter offers such a program. Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and most all other pets - except for large creatures such as a horse or cow - will be transported.

SPCA development director Pam Johnson said that the program will provide an important public service as well as increase the number of adoptable animals at the shelter at 916 Ballentine Blvd.

``There's a real need out there for people to get to and from an animal health-care facility,'' Johnson said. ``It will be very effective in cases of injuries and emergencies but will make usual office visits possible, like for vaccinations, grooming or neutering. This also will bring in more animals to be adopted, especially with all the spring litters.''

Although the SPCA now has only one truck to transport animals, Reed expects business to rise steadily once the word gets out. If things go well the service could be expanded to other areas in the future.

Pick-ups are offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 622-3319 for more information. by CNB