In a new partnership with Petco Love, the SPCA of Martinsville-Henry County is offering free vaccines for pets at the Louise R. Lester Spay & Neuter Clinic. The donated vaccines are part of Petco’s “Vaccinated and Loved” initiative, aimed at improving pet health across the country.
Through this initiative, 300 vaccinations will be available to local pet owners at no cost. The two vaccines provided are the DAPPv Canine vaccine and the HCP Feline vaccine. “This gives us the ability to really help the public by boosting the immunity of their pets at no cost to them,” said Catherine Gupton, the SPCA’s chief operations officer.
The DAPPv vaccine protects dogs against multiple diseases, including canine distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. For cats, the HCP vaccine guards against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia—common and potentially deadly diseases in the local area. National data suggests that around 30% of pets don’t receive these vaccines or have annual vet check-ups.
In discussing the current pet health landscape, Gupton noted the fluctuating incidence of these viruses in the community, highlighting a recent increase in parvo cases among puppies in the area. Puppies aged six weeks to six months are particularly vulnerable.
“Symptoms of parvo include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and dehydration,” Gupton said, adding that the virus can be particularly tenacious, surviving up to a year in soil and even longer in sand.
Petco has been a proactive partner, Gupton noted, aiming to make vaccines accessible to communities in need. “We urge community members to take advantage of this no-cost resource to ensure the health and wellness of our community’s pets.”
The free vaccines are available on a first-come, first-served basis during scheduled spay/neuter appointments or during walk-in Wellness Clinics at the SPCA’s Louise R. Lester Spay & Neuter Clinic, located at 132 Joseph Martin Highway in Martinsville. The next community Wellness Clinic is scheduled for Dec. 7. No income threshold applies, though pet owners will need to complete a brief survey upon receiving the vaccination. For more information, the SPCA can be contacted at (276) 638-7297.
In addition to the free vaccines, the SPCA will host holiday photos with Santa on Nov. 30, from noon to 4 p.m. For $10, families or pet parents can receive a digital holiday photo, a festive keepsake sent directly to participants this year.
