Getting a pet the proper vaccination is critical to maintaining good health, however these precautionary measures can come at a high price. To help ensure all owners can afford to properly vaccinate their animals, the South Jersey Animal Hospital is hosting a low-cost vaccination clinic for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside the animal hospital located at 204 Medford Mt. Holly Road.
“I worked at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the past and we used to do a vaccine clinic twice a week there and a lot of people came to that to save the money,” said Anil Gutta, DVM, the experienced Medford veterinarian at the South Jersey Animal Hospital who came up with the idea to host the event. “Anybody who has dogs and cats that need vaccines can come.”
Although no appointment is needed, the vaccinations will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the clinic expects 30 to 40 people to be in attendance on the day of the clinic. Those wishing to have their pet vaccinated will take a number upon arriving to the clinic, and they will also be given a registration form to complete. It is suggested that attendees bring prior vaccination records and show up 15 to 30 minutes before they wish to be seen.
“Near Medford, nobody else is offering these low-cost vaccines, and a lot of people from Medford and surrounding area are going to the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees to get them,” Gutta said. “They can save travelling time and the waiting period that would occur at AWA.”
Additionally, it’s important to note that a three-year rabies vaccine can only be given if proof, including a certificate, of previous vaccine is shown. If the certificate is not presented, a one-year vaccine will be administered.
A rabies vaccine will cost $15, and a bordetella vaccine, Feline Distemper Vaccine, Canine Distemper Vaccine and Leptospirosis Vaccine will cost $16. A Canine Influenza Vaccine will cost $18, and a Feline Rabies Vaccine, Lyme Vaccine and to microchip a pet will cost $25.
“This is a low-cost vaccine clinic (that) charges almost 50 percent less than the normal price (for the vaccines) and when you go to your regular appointment, you need to pay an office visit. That is not needed here,” Gutta said. “Rabies (vaccines) should be given to all pets; it’s a state law. Other vaccines are also important to avoid future problems. Prevention is better than cure.”
Also able to be administered at the clinic, a cat DelV/FIV combo test will cost $35, a dog heartworm test will cost $20, a dog heartworm combo test will cost $40 and a fecal test will be $30. Discounted preventatives, including Heartgard and flea and tick prevention, will also be available for purchase.
For more information, call the South Jersey Animal Hospital at (609) 654–0300.
