WESTFIELD, Mass. – Second Chance Animal Services organized a low-cost mobile pet vaccine clinic at the Westfield Senior Center on Saturday, offering crucial medical care to local pets. This initiative followed the reported cases of two different viruses at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield in July, which included one fatality in a dog.
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Jules Sanborn, the hospital manager at Second Chance Animal Services, explained that the Springfield facility faced infections such as parvo, panleukopenia, and leptospirosis. "TJO did have a parvo case and a virus that attacks kitties, called panleuk. We also saw a recent leptospirosis case," Sanborn said.
Among those attending the clinic was Ales Roberson from Springfield, who wanted to ensure her dog was protected. Roberson expressed her concerns about waiting in line but looked forward to securing vaccinations for the year ahead.
A total of 95 people registered for the clinic, which was equipped with one veterinarian and two technicians who managed the check-in and vaccination tasks. Upon arrival, pet owners were given paperwork, after which their animals received medical services on a mobile bus.
The clinic not only provided free distemper and parvovirus vaccines but also offered microchipping for $5. The staff checked pets for existing microchips and issued new chips to assist owners in locating their animals if lost. Additionally, they evaluated whether specific pets would need to return for further booster shots.
This mobile vaccine clinic is set to continue its service with upcoming stops planned in Holyoke and Chicopee this September.