ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of pet owners brought their dogs to Barnett Park on Wednesday for Orange County Animal Services’ Arm Your Pet event, where they received free vaccinations and microchips.
The drive-through clinic, which was open to Orange County residents on a first-come, first-serve basis, offered rabies, DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus) and Bordetella vaccines, along with a microchip for every dog that came through the line.
Orange County Animal Services Public Information Officer Bryant Almeida said keeping pets vaccinated is important because rabies vaccinations are required by Florida law and help protect the health and safety of animals.
“It’s very important. Every pet is required to have an up-to-date rabies vaccination,” Almeida said. “So it’s important for No. 1, abiding by the law, and No. 2, for the health and safety of your animal.”
Every dog that attended the clinic also received a microchip. Almeida said microchips can play a critical role in helping reunite lost pets with their owners. If an animal is found, a shelter or veterinarian can scan the chip, access the owner’s registered contact information and reunite them much more quickly.
“Now, a lot of people are on the fence about microchips, but they are probably the best way to reunite an owner and a pet if the pet should get lost,” Almeida said.
Animal Services typically serves 300-400 animals at its dog clinics, but Wednesday’s event reached the department’s goal of 500 dogs. Almeida said the department hosts the free vaccine and microchip events every three months, giving pet owners multiple opportunities to access the services. So if you could not attend Wednesday’s event, officials said there will be another opportunity later this year.