Pet Vaccination, Microchipping Clinic Offered In Abingdon

ABINGDON, MD — The Humane Society of Harford County has teamed up with the Harford County Health Department to host a pet vaccination and microchipping clinic Feb. 28.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Abingdon Fire Company, 3306 Abingdon Rd., in Abingdon. No appointments are needed.

“Our clinics are for everyone, regardless of zip code or income level,” said Amanda Hickman, executive director of HSHC. “Our goal is to offer affordable core vaccines that protect pets from preventable illness and disease. We encourage community members to take advantage of this resource to support the health and wellness of pets throughout our community. We’re excited to bring this clinic to the Abingdon community. These events are always well attended. At our most recent clinic in Fallston this past October, we vaccinated 242 dogs and 172 cats in just over four hours.”

Nail trims will be available to pets courtesy of Heart to Heart Mobile Pet Care.

Animals must be at least four months of age and for everyone’s safety, all dogs must be on a non-retractable leash with a properly fitted collar, and all cats and ferrets must be in a carrier, organizers said. Because the clinic will be held in open truck bays, attendees are encouraged to dress warmly and be prepared to wait outdoors.

Cats will be given either a 1-year or a 3-year rabies shot and a distemper (1-HCP) vaccine. This vaccine protects against feline rhinotracheitis, calici and panleukopenia. Distemper, also known as feline panleukopenia virus, is a highly contagious, life-threatening infectious disease in cats. It mostly affects kittens and unvaccinated cats, and it can be fatal if not appropriately diagnosed and treated. Panleukopenia is considered one of the deadliest cat diseases in the unvaccinated cat population.

The DAPPv shot is a combination vaccine approved for protection against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), canine adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus and canine parvovirus. The Bordetella vaccine is commonly known as the kennel cough shot. It is highly recommended for dogs who go to doggie daycare, boarding kennels, shows, dog parks and training classes.

Pets also can be microchipped. A microchip is a small, electronic chip that is about the same size as a grain of rice. It is implanted between a pet’s shoulder blades and activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radio waves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the unique identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen.

Accepted payments are cash or major credit card.