BC SPCA vaccine clinic helps protect dogs amid parvovirus concerns
Vulnerable dog receiving preventative care at BC SPCA (Image Credit: BC SPCA)
The BC SPCA says a recent pop up vaccination clinic in the South Okanagan helped protect more than 30 vulnerable dogs amid ongoing concerns about canine parvovirus in the region.
The clinic, held June 26 at the BC SPCA’s Penticton Veterinary Hospital, provided free preventative care for pet owners, with 31 dogs and puppies attending and 29 parvovirus vaccinations administered.
Dr. Michael Tigchelaar, lead veterinarian at the Penticton Veterinary Hospital, says the team moved quickly after concerns about parvo began circulating in the community.
“We knew we had to move quickly because parvo transmission between unvaccinated animals can happen very fast,” Tigchelaar said. “We wanted to remove as many barriers as possible to this potentially life saving vaccine.”
The BC SPCA says the clinic was supported by veterinary staff and community outreach teams working together to coordinate logistics and connect with pet owners across the region.
Some pet owners who attended said the free clinic provided peace of mind during a time of rising costs and limited access to veterinary care.
The organization says similar clinics have also been held in Vancouver and Prince George earlier this year as part of broader preventative animal care efforts.
The BC SPCA is funded primarily through donations and says vaccine supply for the clinic was supported through a donation from pharmaceutical company Zoetis.