Clinics provide affordable vaccinations and microchips for area pet owners
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Erin Long, Marketing & Development Manager | Humane Society of Harford County
410-836-1090, x106 | erin@harfordshelter.org
Fallston, MD (August 22, 2023) – With prices for consumers still on the rise, the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) today announced the results of their first affordable pet clinic, held August 5, 2023 in Whiteford, MD, with plans to host another clinic in Edgewood, MD toward the end of the year. These clinics provide discounted pet vaccinations and microchips to owners seeking help caring for their pets.
HSHC started the clinics in response to receiving an increased number of calls for assistance. “Among the more common reasons animals are surrendered to us include financial restraints and a lack of access to affordable veterinary care,” said Bob Citrullo, executive director at HSHC. ““Our goal is to add clinics to the mix of resources and services we provide to help keep pets and people together.”
A line started to form outside the Whiteford Fire Company almost an hour before the clinic was set to begin at 10am, and by 2pm when it closed, a total of 230 pets were vaccinated for rabies, distemper, and Bordetella (kennel cough), given de-wormer and microchipped.
One clinic attendee shared an online review: “It was our adopted cat’s first experience for the shots and microchipping since being with us. He was chill with your volunteers and with the crowd in line waiting, and did well afterwards. Thank you for helping those of us struggling with costs to keep our family with us.”
“Pet owners were so grateful to see us,” Citrullo said. “Based on the favorable response, our staff and volunteers are excited to continue our work in other communities across Harford County.”
The next clinic will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 10am-2pm at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct, 1305 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD 21040. The clinic will offer distemper and Bordetella for dogs, distemper for cats, and rabies vaccines for dogs, cat, and ferrets. Vaccines are $10 each. In addition, the clinic will implant and register microchips for $25.
No appointments are needed, and services will be available while supplies last. Animals must be at least 4 months old to be vaccinated. Cash or credit/debit is accepted. To ensure the safety of everyone, dogs must be on a non-retractable leash with a properly fitted collar, and cats and ferrets must be safely contained inside a carrier.
Visit HarfordShelter.org to learn more about the organization’s lifesaving impact.
About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 2,500 animals that arrive each year. HSHC promotes the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. HSHC is not a county agency nor is it affiliated with any national or regional organization. Tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to its life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals in the community.