Dr. Plumb’s pet tzedakah project

Dr. Paige Plumb’s pet tzedakah project is just that. She is a veterinarian who treats the pets of people who cannot afford to pay standard prices. Animal rescue groups, social service agencies and standard pay clinics also refer patients to her. Although Plumb only opened CAWS (Companion Animal Welfare Society) in West Warwick in January, she has already seen as many patients as she expected to see by October. Her only announcements have been through Facebook (CAWSforPaws) and a local circular.

Plumb had wanted to be a vet for as long as she can remember. After graduating from Moses Brown and the University of Rhode Island, she got her DVM at Oklahoma State in Sweetwater, Okla. Plumb ran a practice for 12 years, then returned to Rhode Island and worked for another clinic. She realized the pressing need for pet care among those with a low income and found she could no longer turn away indigent patients. So she opened CAWS. Meredith Rawlings, receptionist, and Denise Spender, vet tech, LPN and acting practice manager, came onboard. Brenna Giroux and a few part-time helpers supply hands-on assistance.

“We do everything,” Plumbs says. In addition to the sunny waiting room, the facility, which is located in a little mall, has two exam rooms, an office, an outpatient treatment room, a surgery, a recovery room, boarding areas, storage and more. On this day, Plumb is treating two rescue dogs, which will be returned to their organization to be adopted. Giroux figures their patients are mostly cats and dogs, with a few rabbits and ferrets.

Plumb relates, “A lot of people say, ‘If they can’t afford it, they shouldn’t have a dog,’ but the reality is that they do have dogs, and some of the people could afford it when they got the dog.” Plumb recalls her own experience: “I was a single parent through vet school, and I’m a single parent now, so I know what it’s like not to be able to pay bills or to have to choose which bill to pay.”

Many of her clients can’t afford even the simplest procedures such as spaying and neutering. State and nonprofit organizations provide these services at low cost but only for young, healthy animals. In fact, those groups refer a lot of patients to CAWS, where older, unspayed animals with infections and other issues, will be treated.

CAWS has two payment tiers – those whose income is less than or equal to 150 percent of the Federal poverty level and nonprofit rescue groups; and those who can afford the standard fee, which is still lower than that of most private care. As Plumb explains, “We do things for low cost, but we don’t cut corners. Because of the tax benefits of being a nonprofit, and some of the drug companies – we’re able to get drugs at a lower cost.” And Plumb says she tries to work efficiently while following established standards of veterinary care in order to keep costs down.

Plumb’s Magen David pendant is visible on her scrubs. She shares with Judaism “the whole philosophy of giving back and that we have an obligation to improve the world.” The clinic’s appointment hours reflect her commitment. They’re open Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday until 1 p.m.; and closed on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Sunday hours are variable.

“We’ve got a small crew, we’ve got a good crew and they’re dedicated to being here,” Plumb says. Of course, they always appreciate donations of money, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. Contact CAWS at 401-615-2200 or cawsri.com.

Naomi Geller Lipsky (lipskyart@gmail.com) is a Judaic artist in Johnston, R.I.