Animal Protectors provides affordable shots at special vaccine clinic

A steady stream of nervous dogs and cats and their owners descended Saturday on the Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley shelter in New Kensington.

They lined up on the grass outside the facility to get basic medical care including shots from Dr. Betsy Kennon or “Dr. Betsy,” as the clinic’s volunteer veterinarian is known.

If not for the shelter holding this biannual vaccine clinic, many of the people who showed up with their pets said they would not have been able to afford to get them vaccinated. By the halfway mark of the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. event, nearly 150 people had come through with their pets, shelter manager Jacque Perin said.

“It’s vaccines. It’s flea treating. We see animals coming in here with a lot of missing hair,” Perin said. “It’s a big thing to make sure you’re always treating your animals, having them vaccinated, because they’re going to get sick — and sometimes there is no return if they’re too far gone.”

Kennon has been the volunteer vet at Animal Protectors since she retired from the staff at Northview Animal Hospital in Ross.

“It’s a huge service to the community, especially people who have financial issues,” Kennon said. “Veterinary care nowadays is through the roof — really expensive. So, here, they can get the vaccines that they need. I get the occasional person who asks me about this issue or that issue, and I can give them some free advice. I’m happy to do this.”

And the people coming through with their dogs and cats were happy she was there. The clinic charged just $15 for a rabies vaccine.

“They needed their shots, and I can’t afford it anywhere else,” said Amanda Landers, 30, of Natrona Heights. She had three dachshunds in tow, so the cost of taking care of her pets adds up, she said.

“It’s too expensive for the vet appointment, and then the shot itself is, like, $100.”

James Weyandt, 58, Vandergrift brought his Yorkshire terrier/Chihuahua mix for its shots.

“This is something that helps people out,” Weyandt said. “It saves them a visit to the pet hospitals and the vets.”

For $25, pet owners could get a microchip for their dog.

“Anyone can register their pets, so, if they ever get lost, we can scan them and get them home safely,” Perin said. “As the years go on, we have more people coming in and more dogs that are strays that are chipped. And we’re able to get them home faster.”