Pet Adoption & Welfare Services (PAWS) of Rutherford County, TN will provide free pet vaccinations, including parvovirus and distemper (DAPPv) for dogs and panleukopenia (HCP) for cats, to any pet of owners in the local community and surrounding areas. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love's new national vaccination initiative, which is providing 1 million free pet vaccines to PAWS and other existing animal welfare partners, for family pets in need. 

Parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats, are some of the most prevalent deadly diseases impacting pets that are preventable with a simple vaccine. An estimated 30% of pet parents do not take their pet to a veterinarian annually for preventative care. To address this critical need, PAWS and Petco Love are partnering to make pet vaccines free and accessible in an effort to ensure the health and wellness of our beloved pets. 

PAWS aims to vaccinate 6,000 pets through this effort, including dogs and cats of pet owners enrolled in PAWS’ Free Spay & Neuter Program, if desired by their owner.

Free pet vaccine clinic details: 

• Any pet owner, 18 years of age or older, may bring their cat (9 weeks of age or older) and dogs (6 weeks of age or older) to receive parvovirus and distemper vaccine (DAPPv) for dogs and panleukopenia vaccine (HCP) for cats, during offered clinic dates. You do not have to be a Rutherford County resident to participate. All pet owners are welcome!   
• Clinic dates run October-November. The free pet vaccine clinic schedule can currently be viewed on the Rutherford County PAWS Facebook page and the Rutherford County PAWS Instagram page, but will soon be listed under "events" on the paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov homepage. Vaccines are offered first-come, first-served while supplies last. Vaccines are offered first-come, first-served while supplies last.  
• Owners of the pets must be present and complete a liability form and brief survey to receive the service.  
• For ease of service, upon arrival pet owners should check-in and complete paperwork before their pet(s) is administered the vaccines. 
• All cats and dogs must be confined securely on leash or in carrier (as an additional option, cats may also be placed in a pillowcase).  

“Thanks to Petco Love, we can offer these important vaccines at no cost to pet owners,” said Michael Gregory from PAWS of Rutherford County. “We urge community members to take advantage of this free resource to ensure the health and wellness of our community’s pets.” 

“It is heartbreaking when any pet suffers or dies from a disease that could have been prevented. Further, many unvaccinated pets come into busy shelter kennels, where these deadly diseases can spread quickly, hindering saving pet lives,” said Susanne Kogut, Petco Love President. “By creating greater awareness and making this crucial preventative care more accessible to pets not currently receiving these lifesaving vaccines, we aim to prevent the dangerous spread of disease.”  

For more information about the free pet vaccine clinic, contact PAWS at 615-898-7740, visit paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov or the Rutherford County PAWS Facebook page. To learn more about Petco Love’s lifesaving impact, visit PetcoLove.org.