Snake River Animal Shelter offering free pet vaccines Saturday
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IDAHO FALLS — Snake River Animal Shelter will offer free vaccinations and microchips for dogs and cats Saturday as part of a national effort to protect pets from preventable diseases.
The clinic will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 inside the Idaho K9 Academy building next to the shelter.
Free DAPPv vaccines for dogs and HCP vaccines for cats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The shelter hopes to vaccinate about 200 pets during the clinic.
The vaccines are being provided through Petco Love’s Vaccinated and Loved initiative, which works with animal welfare organizations across the country to provide free vaccinations to pets whose owners may face barriers to veterinary care.
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The vaccines protect against several potentially deadly diseases, including parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats.
Free microchips will also be available for dogs and cats. Pets that are not already microchipped must receive a free microchip before being vaccinated.
The shelter will also offer rabies vaccines for dogs and cats for $20 and Bordetella vaccines for dogs for $15. Payment for those vaccines can be made by cash or Venmo. Credit and debit cards will not be accepted.
Dogs must be brought on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. The shelter cannot vaccinate animals that are sick or injured, pets that are not owned by the person bringing them to the clinic, or animals known to have negative reactions to vaccines or people.
“Petco Love’s partnership allows us to bring lifesaving vaccines directly to pet parents at no cost,” Snake River Animal Shelter Executive Director Michelle Ziel-Dingman said. “Access to preventive care is critical. When we remove access barriers, more pets stay protected, and that benefits our entire community.”
Petco Love launched the Vaccinated and Loved initiative in 2021. In February, the organization announced it had distributed more than 4 million free pet vaccines through participating animal welfare organizations nationwide.
According to Petco Love, surveys of people attending its free clinics found that only 38% said their pets had previously received a similar vaccine. The organization says free clinics can also help connect families with veterinary care and encourage continued preventive care for their pets.
For more information about Saturday’s clinic, contact Snake River Animal Shelter at 208-523-4219.