Nonprofit Meets Purpose of Distributing One Million Free Vaccines;
Recommends One Million Extra to Finish Lethal Preventable Ailments

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Petco Love, a nationwide nonprofit spearheading optimistic change for pets, celebrates reaching its one-millionth free pet vaccine distribution for household pets. As we speak, as a result of overwhelming want, Petco Love re-commits one other million free vaccines via its Vaccinated and Beloved initiative to assist finish life-threatening pet ailments.

Petco Love is on a mission to guard pets from lethal ailments. The Vaccinated and Beloved marketing campaign, launched in August 2021, encourages Petco Love animal welfare companions to host free vaccine clinics, significantly focusing on high-impact areas the place deadly pet ailments (parvovirus and distemper in canines, and panleukopenia in cats) are prevalent. Petco Love surveyed pet mother and father¹ attending the free clinics to evaluate whether or not the initiative met its aim to succeed in pets most in want. Regardless of veterinarian suggestions requiring periodic vaccinations for these ailments, surveyed pet mother and father indicated solely 37% of pets have been beforehand vaccinated, and 42% had by no means seen a personal vet.

“Clearly this free vaccine initiative is making a distinction for a lot of pet mother and father and their pets. These vaccines stop ailments that aren’t solely extraordinarily pricey to deal with however lead to pets needlessly struggling and infrequently dying. Proactively vaccinating weak pets saves lives,” mentioned Susanne Kogut, Petco Love president. “Based mostly on our survey outcomes, we estimate this initiative lowered veterinary therapy prices by probably $100 millionat a time when there’s a veterinary scarcity, and when therapy for pets is prohibitively costly for some.”

“My pets are vaccinated and liked. Thanks, Petco Love!” mentioned Debra Simms whose canine, Bella, acquired the millionth vaccination at a vaccine clinic held September 25 in partnership with El Paso Animal Companies. Simms additionally vaccinated three different pets and expressed gratitude for the entry to care. “It is an honor [to be the millionth recipient]. Everyone must get their animals vaccinated.”

Petco Love cautions pet mother and father that pets in sure states is perhaps extra in danger. Survey outcomes confirmed that regardless of barely increased common vaccination charges within the south (42%), parvovirus and distemper have been nonetheless reported highest on this area, with Texas disproportionately holding probably the most depend of each ailments. Panleukopenia was most reported within the West, with California accounting for the very best diagnoses.

“This 12 months, we offered over 7,000 vaccines to our neighborhood pets,” mentioned Terry Kebschull, Director of Petco Love associate, El Paso Animal Companies. “Our partnership with Petco Love to supply these vaccines is essential. These ailments are prevalent right here in the neighborhood and if a pet encounters one other pet that has these ailments, it protects them. Wholesome pets make wholesome and completely satisfied households, so it is vital for our neighborhood and communities throughout the nation.”

Free vaccine clinics represent one a part of Petco Love’s broader initiative to make entry to veterinary care obtainable to pet households the place value stays a barrier to care. Petco Love additionally introduced greater than $1.6 million in Entry to Care funding grants to almost 170 companions throughout the US These investments assist weak households and their pets by funding animal welfare organizations that present very important neighborhood companies. Companies encompass veterinary care together with preventatives and wellness, therapy for sickness and damage, and spay/neuter companies.

“We’re proud to associate with Petco Love to extend entry to care and necessary vaccines for pets, and we congratulate them on this necessary milestone,” mentioned Dr. Joseph Hahn, Government Director of US Companion Animal and Equine Skilled Companies at Merck Animal Well being. “Collectively we’re bringing unconditional care to animals who may in any other case be in danger.”

Pet mother and father in want of free pet vaccinations can go to freepetvaccines.org to discover a taking part clinic. Some clinics might allow advance registration and supply further choices resembling discounted microchips and rabies vaccines, though portions could also be restricted. Vaccines distributed underneath this initiative are DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines in partnership with Merck Animal Well being. To be taught extra about Petco Love, go to petcolove.org.

About Petco Love

Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit group that makes communities and pet households nearer, stronger, and more healthy. Since our founding in 1999 because the Petco Basis, we have empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $330 million in adoption and different lifesaving efforts. We have helped discover loving houses for greater than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Our love for pets drives us to steer with innovation, creating instruments animal lovers have to reunite misplaced pets, and lead with ardour, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our greater than 4,000 animal welfare companions to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Is love calling you? Be part of us. Go to petcolove.org or comply with us on Fb, Instagram, Twitterand LinkedIn to be a part of the lifesaving work we lead day by day.

About Merck

At Merck, generally known as MSD exterior of america and Canada, we’re unified round our function: We use the facility of modern science to avoid wasting and enhance lives all over the world. For greater than a century, we have been on the forefront of analysis, bringing ahead medicines, vaccines and progressive well being options for the world’s most difficult ailments. Merck Animal Well being, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, is the worldwide animal well being enterprise of Merck. By means of its dedication to The Science of More healthy Animals^®, Merck Animal Well being provides veterinarians, farmers, pet house owners and governments one of many widest ranges of veterinary prescribed drugs, vaccines and well being administration options and companies in addition to an intensive suite of linked expertise that features identification, traceability and monitoring merchandise. Merck Animal Well being is devoted to preserving and bettering the well being, well-being and efficiency of animals and the individuals who look after them. It invests extensively in dynamic and complete R&D sources and a contemporary, international provide chain. Merck Animal Well being is current in additional than 50 nations, whereas its merchandise can be found in some 150 markets. For extra info, go to www.merck-animal-health.com and join with us on LinkedIn, Fb, Twitter and Instagram.

¹ Petco Love surveyed pet mother and father attending these free clinics throughout 38 states. The respondents answered three main questions: whether or not (together with the explanations for) their pet had visited a personal vet workplace; whether or not they had beforehand acquired the provided vaccines, and whether or not a pet of their family had ever been recognized with these ailments. Areas have been decided in accordance with US census designs. Petco Love plans to proceed these surveys with the intention of publishing a white paper with detailed survey outcomes.

Contacts: Petco Love, [email protected]

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SOURCE Petco Love