Free pet vaccine clinic in Harrisburg was a tail-wagging success. Are more planned?

Anyone with a pet knows how expensive trips to the vet can cost.

So it was no surprise on Saturday when hundreds of pet owners showed up for a Humane Society of Harrisburg Area free, drive-thru vaccine clinic held in the city.

The clinic was so popular traffic backed up around the event site at the Hamilton Health Center, where they administered vaccines, including for rabies and distemper. A long line of owners with dogs and cats in tow formed in the center’s parking lot.

Humane Society spokeswoman Sara Smith said they served 609 pets and administered 1,200 vaccines. The clinic was sponsored by Petco Love and Harrisburg Bureau of Police Community Services.

“They were pleasantly surprised by the crowd,” she said.

Response was so positive, Smith said they plan to host additional ones in the future, although no dates have been announced.

Smith noted that similar clinics have been held at the West Chester-based Brandywine Valley SPCA, a partner with the Humane Society of Harrisburg in Swatara Township as part of an affiliation agreement.

The Brandywine clinics are held annually, she said.

Smith said traffic congestion at the clinics is nothing new and noted it’s hard to estimate ahead of time how many people will show up.

Partnering with local police departments, she said, helps with traffic control. Smith said the Humane Society worked with police to select Hamilton Health for its central location.

She acknowledged the response demonstrates the demand for free pet care.

Nationally, the price of urban veterinarian services increased by 7.9% from February 2023 to February 2024, more than 2½ times higher than the average of all consumer items, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While the free clinics are a way for pet owners to save money, Smith stressed they also serve another purpose: Keeping pets out of shelters.

“It’s all part of trying to keep pets in their homes where they belong and keep them happy and healthy,” she said. “This is really part of our mission to be able to spread resources and services to the pet community.”

The Humane Society also hosts low-fee vaccine clinics throughout the year. The next ones are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14 at the shelter at 7790 Grayson Road.

The first come, first serve clinics offer vaccines such as rabies, distemper, Bordetella and Lyme for dogs at a reduced cost. The vaccines are priced between $20 and $25.

Feline vaccines include rabies for $25 and FVRCP for $20.