Pima County Hosting Free Pet Vaccine & Microchip Clinic

TUCSON, AZ — Pima Animal Care Center is hosting a free pet vaccination and microchip event this weekend.

The non-appointment event, which runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., will serve the first 400 pets that come to the clinic, which is located on north Silverbell Road.

The center will vaccinate and microchip cats and dogs on a first come, first serve basis, in order to help local pets owners stay on top of their vaccination schedules.

“We are seeing so many cases of parvo, distemper, and panleukopenia,” said Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, Head Veterinarian at PACC in a statement. “These are typically seen in younger pets, but right now we are also seeing these illnesses in older pets because they weren’t vaccinated. Our hope is to get a good number of pets vaccinated so that we can bring these cases down in Pima County.”

The June vaccination and microchip event follows a similar one held last Halloween, which was a success, according to Interim Director of Animal Services, Monica Dangler.

“We have been holding small clinics over the pandemic through an application process, but we wanted to offer up a larger scale clinic after the success of our Halloween event,’” said Dangler in a statement.

Microchipping pets is a crucial element of reuniting lost animals with their owners, as PACC staff can find the pet owner's phone number and call them to pick up a lost four-legged family member, the center said.

“Summertime is the busiest time for stray pets,” Dangler said in a statement. “We are seeing 75 to 100 pets coming in every day and most are stray pets who likely have owners. An up-to-date microchip is the fastest way to get your best friend back home!”

For more information on the PACC vaccination and microchip event, visit the center's website.