CVAS Offering Low- Cost Vax Clinic For Pets
Colville Animal Sanctuary (CVAS) is offering low- cost vaccination and microchip clinics to pet owners in Stevens County. The clinics are held on weekends and are a convenient option for those who struggle to take time off work during the week.
“Each animal that comes through the clinic is examined by our volunteer veterinarian, Lennox M. Ryland, also known to people as Dr. Maggie, before vaccinations are given,” CVAS Treasurer and Secretary Janet West said. “Keeping our pets healthy and safe is not only best for them but good for our community.”
CVAS provides vaccines, microchipping, and de- worming services for cats and dogs.
For dogs, DAPPv is a four- way combo vaccination for dogs that includes protection against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus, given in a series of four shots for puppies starting at 6- 8 weeks. DAPPv+ L4 is a new option that includes protection against four types of Canine Leptospirosis and can replace two of the standard DAPPv shots, given in a series of 2 shots for the first year and as a booster thereafter. Bordetella is a nasal vaccine for dogs frequently groomed, boarded, or socialized with other dogs and helps protect against kennel cough. De- wormer is for hook and roundworms but does not include tapeworms.
For cats, the FVRCP vaccine is a combination of three vaccines for panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus, starting at six weeks of age in a series of 3 shots. For de- worming, hook and roundworms are treated, but tapeworms are not included.
The Rabies vaccine is required by Washington State law and given at the clinic, while other vaccines are recommended for the health of the animal and community. Microchipping greatly increases the chances of lost pets being returned to their owners.
“Our universal microchips can be read by any vet’s or shelter’s chip scanner,” West said. “It is not a tracker. It must be read with a scanner. Owners should microchip for peace of mind hoping that it never needs to be used.”
The drive- thru format for vaccines has definitely proven to be popular. During the 2022 clinic season, CVAS served 253 households and 410 animals ( 152 cats and 258 dogs) at nine clinics.
“Before COVID, we had the clinic at the Country Store in Colville,” West said. “We greatly appreciate their support. We moved to a drive- thru clinic in 2020, and it has been a big hit with both dog and cat owners. It’s less stress on the animals to stay in the car with their owners versus being in a building with other animals they don’t know. The only downside is that we can no longer offer year- round due to weather.”
The clinic is run by volunteers, including a licensed semi- retired veterinarian and community volunteers who hand out paperwork, take payments, help with the animals, clean up between animals, and assist the veterinarian with the vaccines and microchips.
Those interested in volunteering can fill out a form on CVAS’s website. The sanctuary needs volunteers in areas such as laundry and dishes, adoption specialists, office assistants, medical assistants, and dog behavioral therapy.
Vaccination clinics are set for March 25, April 22, May 20, and June 17. CVAS’s vaccine clinics take place from 10 a. m. to noon, and the new mailing address and location is 501 Old Arden Hwy, Colville. The clinic continues until all customers in line by noon have been served.
For more info, go to www.cvasanctuary. org.