Protect your pet

 

By: Kylie Turner

Are you the person your dog thinks you are?

During the month of February, the Windsor Essex County Humane Society partnered with local veterinarian clinics for a vaccination drive. The project offers core vaccines for cats or dogs along with a brief health exam for $50 plus tax.

Melanie Coulter is the executive director at the Humane Society and said this is the sixth year the vaccination drive has happened during the month of February. The Humane Society started offering the program when its clinic first opened to help increase services in the community.

“In a lot of cases illnesses are preventable and the vaccine cost is often a barrier,” said Coulter. “We decided to offer this program to help vets when business is slow. This could help develop relationships and care moving forward. Deadly illnesses are can easily be preventable with vaccines.”

Meaghan Rasberry is a pet owner and vet office assistant student at the University of Guelph Ridgetown campus. Rasberry said there are some core vaccines that are not optional in some areas.

“Vaccines are extremely important for your pets,” said Rasberry. “They are the main source of protection against potentially deadly viruses and diseases. We, as owners of these animals have a responsibility to protect them to the best of our ability. That way is by getting them their yearly vaccines.”

There are 12 local participating clinics including the Humane Society in the vaccination drive. Pet owners should call a participating clinic ahead of time to book an appointment. For more information about future drives check out windsorhumane.org.

“We always have the vaccine drive in February and will continue to if it is something the clinics are willing to participate in and support,” said Coulter. “It has gotten to the point where the clinics ask us when the drive will be.”