East Bay SPCA Giving Away Pet Vaccinations, Spay/neuter Appointments

Free dog and cat vaccination clinic helps address pet overpopulation in creative ways and by building community support.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) June 15, 2006 -- East Bay SPCA will be holding its second Free Shot Fair of the year on Saturday, June 13, 2006 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the shelter’s Maddie’s Spay and Neuter Surgery Center in Oakland. Cats and dogs will receive free vaccinations. Resources for free spay and neuter appointments will be available and microchips, which are now mandatory for dogs over four months old in Oakland, will be available for $10.

Owners of pit bulls and pit bull mixes will be encouraged to take advantage of "The East Bay Pit Fix," providing free spay and neuter surgery to any Alameda or Contra Costa County resident who owns a pit bull or pit bull mix. Dogs that are altered are less aggressive and more easily trained.

Over 1,500 free vaccinations have been given since the Shot Fairs began in 2005. “More important than giving vaccinations,” says Rachel Long, Director of Operations for the East Bay SPCA, “is that we have staff and volunteers providing one-on-one assistance for pet owners. We are scheduling spay and neuter appointments for them, microchipping their pets, providing advice on behavior, and offering veterinary referrals.”

The East Bay SPCA launched a focused effort in 2004 to begin educating the community on responsible pet ownership, especially of pit bulls. The popularity of pit bulls has made these dogs a breed at risk. Caught in a vicious circle of popularity, casual breeders are driven to produce puppies for sale, which in turn end up in shelters only to be euthanized when owners no longer want them, or can handle them.

Appointments for the East Bay Pit Fix will be taken at the Shot Fair. Owner resources, in English and in Spanish, will also be provided by BAD RAP, a pit bull rescue group.

What:     East Bay SPCA Shot Fair for Dogs and Cats

When:     Saturday, June 17, 2006

Where:     East Bay SPCA Maddie’s Spay/Neuter Surgery Center, 410 Hegenberger Road, Oakland

Time:     11 AM to 3 PM

More info (public):

http://www.eastbayspca.org/events or 510-569-0702

The East Bay SPCA began as the Oakland SPCA in 1874 and now has two shelters and three clinics in the East Bay. We are dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in our community. We receive no government funding or funding from any national humane organization. We are funded entirely by donations and the fees of our affordable services. Visit www.eastbayspca.org for more information, or call the Oakland Adoption Center at 510-569-0702.

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