ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Southside Community Center are co-sponsoring routine health care clinics for pets owned by persons of limited means, one night a month at the center, 305 S. Plain St.

Veterinary students under the supervision of experienced veterinarians are providing “well-pet” services such as physical examinations, vaccinations, deworming and treatment of select medical disorders. Pets with more complicated health care problems that cannot be handled by the clinic will be referred to full-service veterinary practices in the Ithaca area.

Following start-up clinics Dec. 4 and 18, subsequent clinics will be scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month. Clinic hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. by appointment only. Appointments may be made by calling the Southside Community Center, (607) 273-4190. Pet owners are asked to pay as much of the $10-per-pet fee as they are able.

“This is a service for people who could not otherwise afford veterinary care for their pets,” said Jacqueline Melton Scott, director of the Southside Community Center. “Just because you can’t afford veterinary care, that doesn’t mean that the animal should be deprived.” She noted that the center also sponsors routine health care clinics with area physicians.

“This is a valuable educational experience for the students,” said Dr. Franklin M. Loew, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “We learn our skills by treating the routine cases. This is the college’s way of taking veterinary care to the community.”