By Heather Hintze

EUGENE, Ore. -- Eugene's homeless community will soon have a permanent place to go for veterinary care for their animals.

Staff from St. Vincent de Paul and ProBoneO broke ground on the new Community Veterinary Center for low or no-income people. The clinic will set right next to St. Vincent de Paul's service station on Highway 99. The Creswell School District donated a modular classroom for the clinic that will be moved to the site in January.

Clinic organizers say the staff at the new permanent clinic will be able to take x-rays and perform surgery, something they're unable to do currently.  "It will allow us to do a lot more procedures and address a lot more problems. Better care and not have to turn away some of the situations that need an x-ray or surgical procedure," says Clinic Coordinator, Jackie Rice.

Homeless community members who use the ProBoneO clinics say they're thrilled about the new center.  "I think it's awesome. Without it I couldn't afford to have my dog's shots or anything else. And he's like my son," says dog owner, William Harto.

ProBoneO hosts clinics twice a month at the service station and provides free checkups and vaccinations. Over the past decade, they've helped more than 8,000 animals.

Between the costs of construction, labor and materials, staff and volunteers still need to raise $90,000. The clinic should be up and running by next summer.