Brenda Fijalkowski

Dr. Brenda Fijalkowski is the Medical Director of the Pet Pantry. She oversees the medical aspects of the rescue, the Fix Lancaster Program, and takes care of the medical needs of pets of families who are using the Food Assistance Program.

Dr. Brenda is a 1986 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. After 27 years in private practice, she moved in the direction of shelter medicine and High Quality, High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN). She completed the ASPCA’s Humane Alliance training in HQHVSN in 2013. After serving for the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area for four years and volunteering for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association’s Rural Area Veterinary Services on Indian Reservations in the Midwest, she joined the Pet Pantry in 2018.

As a Certified Fear Free Professional and an America Association of Feline Practitioner’s Cat-Friendly Practitioner, she has worked with the staff and volunteers to help make the experience of the cats and dogs in the rescue as stress-free as possible. By reducing stress, the animals have healthier outcomes and move on to their forever homes more quickly. Since starting, the average length of stay for the rescue animals has been cut in half.

Dr. Brenda is also certified in Animal CPR and Advanced Life Support through the American College of Veterinarian Emergency and Critical Care. Patient welfare is her primary concern with animals presented for surgery. She performs surgery for our programs as well as assists with the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program.

Dr. Brenda lives with her husband in the Millersville area and shares her home with 2 dogs and 2 cats. In her spare time she enjoys long walks and is active in her church. She also trains in martial arts where she has achieved the rank of second degree black belt.

Dr. Brenda is a 1986 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. After 27 years in private practice, she moved in the direction of shelter medicine and High Quality, High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN). She completed the ASPCA’s Humane Alliance training in HQHVSN in 2013. After serving for the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area for four years and volunteering for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association’s Rural Area Veterinary Services on Indian Reservations in the Midwest, she joined the Pet Pantry in 2018.