Frequently Asked Questions

• Who Can Use the Medical Center?

  The Medical Center accepts appointments from income-qualified residents of the District of Columbia. If interested, call the clinic at 202-726-CARE for a means test. All clinic patients must be spayed or neutered (as well as all animals in the household), but the Medical Center can arrange to have this done at a minimal charge for clients who qualify for financial assistance.

• How do I qualify for financial assistance?

  To see if you qualify, call the Medical Center at (202) 726-2273 for a means test.

• What Services Are Available At The Medical Center?

  The Medical Center provides routine physical exams, vaccines, spaying and neutering, other surgeries, emergency care, dental work, and treatment of diseases and injuries.

  The Medical Center holds a special low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic every Wednesday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. Vaccinations for canine rabies, distemper/parvovirus (DHPP), and bordatella (“kennel cough”) cost $10 each.  Feline rabies, “distemper” (FVRCP), and leukemia cost $15 each.  No appointments are necessary and there is no limit as to how many animals an individual can bring to the clinic.  Microchips are also available for $25.

  The Medical Center holds a free pit bull spay/neuter clinic each month, as well as low-cost male cat neuters each week. For more information about our medical clinics, visit http://www.warl.org/pages/medicalclinics/. 

• How do I contact the Medical Center?

  Please call (202) 726-CARE for an appointment.

• What Educational Opportunities Does the Medical Center Provide?

  The Medical Center welcomes volunteers, veterinary students, and veterinary externs. For more information, call, 202-726-2556.

• Can I get my medications online?

  Yes, medications can be ordered online by following the link to our Online Pharmacy.

• I see that some of your available animals for adoption are heartworm positive. What does this mean?

  Heartworms are parasites carried by mosquitoes.  In the dog’s body, the tiny heartworms travel to the heart and the large blood vessels in the lungs, where they turn into worms.  Luckily, most dogs with heartworms are diagnosed early by routine blood testing, and are still healthy or have mild disease.  We do a full workup on our dogs with heartworm disease in order to determine the best course of treatment.  Treatment is almost always successful, and due to early detection, most dogs have no lasting damage to their hearts, and have a normal life span.