February 29, 2024
Petco Love’s National Pet Vaccination Month in March Urges Pet Vaccinations to Save Pet Lives
During March’s National Pet Vaccination Month, Petco Love, a national nonprofit organization, reminds pet parents of the importance of vaccinating their pets against deadly, yet preventable diseases in dogs and cats, at their veterinarian or local vaccine clinic. As part of its Vaccinated and Loved campaign and to support access to care for pets across the country, Petco Love is distributing pet vaccines to partner animal welfare organizations to hold free pet vaccine clinics in their communities.
The threat of potential exposure for pets to deadly diseases and viruses, like parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats, is even higher in spring and summer months. “The best way for pet parents to keep their pets healthy and safe from diseases is making sure they are up to date on recommended vaccines,” said Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, Petco’s Chief Veterinarian and Petco Love Board Member. “No pet parent wants to see their pets suffer, especially from a disease that could have been prevented, and we know vaccines save pets lives.”
Petco Love’s Vaccinated and Loved campaign launched in 2021 to encourage Petco Love animal welfare partners to host free vaccine clinics. Since that time, Petco Love distributed more than 2.2M vaccines to date and surveyed pet parents1 attending these free clinics to assess their impact. Only 34 percent of respondents reported that their pet had ever received a similar vaccine and of these, 41 percent indicated that they relied on vaccine clinics for this essential service. In fact, 40 percent of respondents at these free vaccine clinics indicated that their pet had never seen a private veterinarian and only 27 percent take their pet to a veterinarian for an annual check-up.
“These survey results demonstrate that our Vaccinated and Loved pet vaccine clinics are crucial to protect these pets most in need. It is imperative that we take action to assure access to care for all pets, so no pet is unprotected from preventable, deadly diseases especially in areas where these diseases are more prevalent,” said Susanne Kogut, Petco Love President. “Vaccinating these pets potentially saves more than $150 million in veterinary treatment costs and more importantly reduces unnecessary suffering and saves lives. Helping pets, helps people, furthering our mission of making pet families closer, stronger and healthier.”
Petco Love’s Vaccinated and Loved initiative is a nationwide campaign. Petco Love partner, Spay Neuter Network in San Antonio, Texas, hosts free pet vaccine clinics in an area of the country where deadly diseases are even more widespread. “We meet so many caring pet parents who are unable to pay for preventative vaccinations as they choose between preventative care and providing food for themselves and their family,” said Jordan Craig, Executive Director of Spay Neuter Network. “Thankfully, Petco Love is making sure that crucial preventative care is available for everyone. With their help, we can make sure everyone has access to the care their pet needs.” The organization’s next free vaccine clinic is being held on March 2.
Another Petco Love partner and animal shelter in Texas is preparing for its free vaccine event at Arcadia Park in Dallas on March 9. “Vaccinations play such an important role in keeping pets within our communities happy, healthy and in their homes,” said Meredith Jones with Operation Kindness. “We look forward to continuing to partner with Petco Love and communities like southern Dallas because together, we can improve the quality of life for pets and the people who love them.”
The Vaccinated and Loved campaign marked a milestone in November 2023, reaching Petco Love’s goal of distributing 2 million free pet vaccines for family pets. Now, Petco Love aims to distribute an additional one million vaccines to partner shelters and rescues, including Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California. “The Petco Love Vaccinated and Loved campaign allowed us to provide more than 5,000 vaccines to pets of more than 2,200 families in 2023. We are hoping to serve even more pets and their families this year,” said Phillip Zimmerman, Manager of Front Street Animal Shelter. The organization has a free vaccine clinic planned for March 10 at Pannell Community Center.
For pet parents in upstate New York, Petco Love partner Rochester Animal Services is hosting free pet vaccine clinics for dogs on March 1 and 15 and for cats on March 28th at the Rochester Community Sports Center.
Pet parents can stay up to date on all recommended vaccines for dogs and cats at more than 200 Vetco Total Care full-service hospitals conveniently located inside Petco pet care centers or at Vetco Vaccination Clinics regularly held at more than 1,200 Petco pet care centers and select Lowe’s locations.
Pet parents in need of free pet vaccinations can visit Petco Love to find a participating clinic. Vaccines distributed under this initiative are DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines in partnership with Merck Animal Health. To learn more about Petco Love, click here.