SPCA of Texas and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Offer FREE Combination Pet Vaccines for Dogs in Ellis County Saturday, March 2, 2024

FREE Microchips & Vaccines for Dogs Will Be Available at Ellis County Expo Center in Waxahachie from 8 a.m. to Noon

WAXAHACHIE, TX — In partnership with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the SPCA of Texas will offer FREE “combination” vaccines (DHPPv), rabies vaccines and microchips for dogs, Saturday, March 2nd, from 8 a.m. to Noon at Waxahachie’s Ellis County Expo Center (2300 US 287, 75167).

Dog owners must show proof of residency in Ellis County to receive the free services. There is a limit of four adult dogs (four months and older) or two adult dogs and one litter of puppies per household. Dogs must be on leashes.

The event also includes a free pet food pantry; however, registration for the dry food is required here. Dry pet food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as supplies last.

“We are excited to be part of a solution for an ever-growing need in our county,” said Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman. “We had great success with our last partnership for vaccinations here in Ellis County. We look forward to seeing you and helping you take care of your vaccination needs.”

Four hundred DHPPv vaccines and microchips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be administered by veterinary technicians from the SPCA of Texas.

The DAPPv combination vaccine is a primary immunization included in an appropriate vaccine schedule and is a core vaccine required for dogs, both of which are critical for a pet’s health and safety. It protects against Canine Distemper—this virus is a disease that affects puppies and dogs; proper canine vaccinations are critical; Adenovirus—includes type 1 and type 2, which are responsible for both hepatitis and tracheobronchitis; Hepatitis, a virus that is highly contagious and can cause congestion, fever, watery discharge from your pet’s nose and eyes, and possible blindness; Parvovirus (Parvo) is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal, and can pass easily through direct contact with an infected dog or feces from an infected dog; and Parainfluenza, known as CPIV, is a respiratory virus that sometimes becomes pneumonia.

Once a puppy or dog has received the primary and booster DAPPv vaccine, it needs annual revaccination to ensure continued protection against the risk of infection.

Rabies vaccines are required by law in Texas for all pets four months of age and older and on a one- or three-year basis thereafter depending on the type of vaccine used. This vaccine protects against the deadly disease that can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

“We are pleased to work with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office to offer free vaccinations and microchips for the dogs owned by Ellis County residents,” said SPCA of Texas President & CEO Chris Luna, JD. “The importance pet vaccinations play in helping to eliminate the spread of preventable diseases in dogs living in Ellis County cannot be stressed enough. It’s heartbreaking when any pet suffers or dies from a disease that could have been prevented

“Free microchipping also will be available for the dogs,” Luna added. “Recent studies have shown that microchipped pets are more than twice as likely to be found and returned to their owners as dogs without microchips.”

The SPCA of Texas is grateful to Petco Love for providing vaccines for this important event.