MUSCATINE, Iowa–As a group taking in stray and rescued animals, It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources has numerous cats and dogs spayed and neutered each year. Because no city in Iowa has a high quality high volume spay and neuter clinic closer than an hour away, and clinics on both the Iowa and Illinois sides of the river often have all their appointments booked for months in advance, It Takes a Village wanted to make it easier to care for their rescued animals and for people in Muscatine County and the surrounding area to spay and neuter their animals to prevent unwanted litters and pet overpopulation. To that end, they started working on creating their own clinic.

Securing a location proved straightforward, as It Takes a Village worked with David Basulto of Basulto Properties LLC and Commercial Real Estate Holdings to lease the space at 1510 Grandview Avenue, Suite Six in Muscatine they had first rented after taking in a large number of animals that the Muscatine County Sherriff’s Office seized in 2022. Next, they worked hard to find a vet experienced with providing the best possible care while providing a large number of spay and neuter surgeries and who would have a comfortable work-life balance in the position. They found that Dr. Tiffani Yerkey-Reece would fit perfectly. It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources Founder Meagan Koehler explained: “Dr. Tiffani Yerkey-Reece has many years of high-volume spay-neuter experience. She saw our job listing, and the time was right.” Finally, they found veterinary assistants and technicians to provide support, rounding out the staff and making it possible to reasonably care for many animals. “We will serve the animals, our community, and our amazing and dedicated staff,” Koehler emphasized.

Though these employees will take care of all of the animals’ needs, It Takes a Village could use the help of volunteers to attend to other clinic duties, including clerical work, housekeeping, and laundry between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Anyone who would like to volunteer may contact It Takes a Village by Facebook message or email.

Beginning Feb. 28, It Takes a Village will begin offering spays and neuters from their new clinic. If you have animals who needs either of these procedures, you may schedule their surgeries by calling 563-261-9176. As an additional benefit to pets and their people, pets may also receive additional preventative care services including flea and tick treatment, heartworm testing, microchipping, nail trimming, and routine vaccinations. It Takes a Village only offers these services as addons to spay and neuter surgeries. They do not schedule appointments for other services.

With It Takes a Village’s high quality high volume spay and neuter clinic poised to open, Koehler feels excited about the ways it will positively affect the community: “My heart is bursting with pride. It’s been about a year and a half since I first tossed around the idea of opening a clinic here in Muscatine. This dream has become a reality much earlier than I could have dreamed, thanks to the tremendous support of our community, our amazing volunteers and staff, and some incredibly generous donors.”