BTAA plans free pet vaccine clinics

PONDERAY — While an Oct. 17 pet vaccine clinic is full, don't worry: Better Together Animal Alliance is planning additional clinics throughout the fall. 

The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love's national vaccination initiative Vaccinated and Loved. A national nonprofit organization, Petco Love, has provided four million free pet vaccines and counting to participating animal welfare partners, including BTAA, for family pets in need.

The Vaccinated and Loved campaign highlights Petco Love’s ongoing commitment to combat preventable yet deadly diseases in communities by distributing free pet vaccines, BTAA officials said. The vaccines are distributed to participating partner organizations, including BTAA, to administer at free clinics. This initiative ensures access barriers don’t stand in the way of pets’ health.

Parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats — the most prevalent deadly diseases affecting pets — are preventable with a simple vaccine. As Petco Love distributes free pet vaccines, survey data from pet parents who attended free clinics show only 38% reported that their pet received a similar vaccine in the past. 

The free vaccines distributed at events through the Petco Love Vaccinated and Loved initiative will be the DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines. 

“Petco Love’s partnership allows us to bring lifesaving vaccines directly to pet parents at no cost,” said Sarah Berry, BTAA director of operations.  “Access to preventive care is critical. When we remove access barriers, more pets stay protected — and that benefits our entire community.”

Survey data from pet parents who attended free clinics also highlights how community vaccine clinics open the door to ongoing veterinary care, said Dig Chrismer, BTAA storytelling and public relations manager.

This is especially true for financially strained families that are facing cost barriers to pet care and not yet connected to routine preventative services, Chrismer said.

“For nearly half of the pet parents we surveyed at free clinics powered by Petco Love, these events are how they make sure their pets get vaccinated,” said Petco Love President Chelsea Staley. “For families who haven't yet established a veterinary care routine due to access barriers, free vaccine clinics are often the very first step they take — where they first connect with trusted veterinary guidance. It’s more than just a single shot. It’s about preventing disease in the long term, protecting communities and opening the door for families and pets to a lifetime of care.”

As of February 2026, Petco Love’s Vaccinated and Loved initiative has distributed 4 million free pet vaccines for family pets. The campaign was launched in 2021, encouraging participating Petco Love animal welfare partners to host free vaccine clinics in their communities.  

For more information, visit BTAA at bettertogetheranimalalliance.org or Petco Love at PetcoLove.org. For more information about vaccine distribution, contact BTAA at 208-265-7297.