MCAS BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Whether they are a military working dog or a family pet, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Veterinary Treatment Facility provides services for active duty service members, retirees, and their dependents with pets.
Army Veterinary Corps personnel staff the VTF whose main mission is to care and treat government owned animals and to ensure proper living conditions are provided at the animal’s living facility. Examples of living facilities include the Provost Marshals Office’s kennel and stables aboard Laurel Bay.
Veterinary services are also available for privately owned animals, which include vaccinations, doctor examinations, annual examinations, health certificates for permanent change of duty station or travel, microchip embedding, blood work and pet registration.
Over-the-counter medications are also sold at the VTF for heartworm prevention, flea and ticks, and more.
"It’s important to take care of your pets because they are a part of the family and having regular check ups are a way to identify early changes in health which can lead to sicknesses in the future," said Army Sgt. Josue Rivera, VTF animal care specialist.
All feline and canine pets must have proper documentation for a rabies vaccination before being treated by the clinic.
Prices at the VTF are generally less than animal clinics off base. Every animal seen by a technician at the clinic is charged a wellness-screening fee of $10. Sick-call examinations and wellness examinations are held with a veterinarian with a price of $25.
"We are here to give military working dogs and privately owned pets high quality and compassionate services available to keep the animals safe and healthy," said Rivera, a native of Puerto Rico.
The VTF is located on Alaska Blvd., near the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Office hours are Monday though Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic is closed on federal holidays and the last duty day of the month for inventory. For more information on the VTF facility including pricing, contact 228-3317.