The Liberty County Humane Shelter and Coastal Community Veterinary Clinic have joined forces to provide area residents with low-cost veterinary services. The facility, at 279 Briarwood Circle in Hinesville, held its grand opening last week and celebrated by offering free checkups and rabies shots to the first 50 pets in line.

In addition to vaccinations, the clinic provides spaying and neutering services and heart-worm tests.

Richard Fernandez took advantage of the grand-opening special and was pleased when his two dogs, Buster and Bailey, received their shots and clean bills of health.

“I had a couple of questions for Dr. Rachel Peeples concerning my dogs, and I was able to get them vaccinated, which was a big plus,” Fernandez said.

He said he was pleased with the service he received and plans to use the clinic again when his pets need care.

Sandra Frye, director of the Liberty County Humane Shelter and Coastal Community Veterinary Clinic, said the concept of a low-cost veterinary clinic first surfaced last year when the M.O.M.S Rescue, which is based in New Jersey but frequently rescues pets in Liberty County, pointed out the absence of a low-cost clinic in the area.

“We saw a need here in Liberty County where we could provide low-cost pet care where neutering a dog would cost a pet owner $80 and a cat owner $45, as well as other services to include rabies shots, heart-worm tests and, eventually, dental care,” Frye said.

Pet owners normally won’t be charged for office visits and, in most cases, will pay $25 for rabies shots and checkups. Frye emphasized, however, that animals will need to be taken to a full-service veterinarian for emergencies and serious ailments.

The clinic is open from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the first and third Saturday of every month. For information, call 876-3647 or 448-2282.