Vaccinations are important for your pets health

We want your pet to live a long and healthy life. For that reason, ARC offers low-cost vaccines and prevention alongside our surgical services and at our regularly scheduled Vaccine Clinics.

How do pet vaccines work?

Pet vaccines work in the same way as human vaccines. Pet vaccines contain antigens, causing a mild stimulus, allowing your pet’s immune system to identify and fight off the actual disease either entirely or decrease the severity of the illness if/when your pet comes into contact with the live disease.

There are a set of core vaccines considered essential for all pets.

Non-core vaccines are given depending on the pet’s exposure risk. To properly vaccinate your pet it is extremely important to complete the entire vaccine protocol. Factors that should influence your vaccine protocol will include age, medical history, environment, and lifestyle.

Core Vaccines for Dogs:

(Vaccines considered essential)

Canine Parvovirus
Distemper
Canine Hepatitis
Rabies

Core Vaccines for Cats:

(Vaccines considered essential)

Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
Feline Calicivirus
Feline Herpesvirus Type I (Rhinotracheitis)
Rabies

Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs:

(Vaccines given depending on the pet’s exposure risk)

Bordetella bronchiseptica
Leptospira bacteria

Non-Core Vaccines for Cats:

(Vaccines given depending on the pet’s exposure risk)

Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Timing & Frequency

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens need to receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to eight weeks of age, with the second set to follow 3-4 weeks and then a final set to be given in another 3-4 weeks.

Adult Dogs and Cats

Adult dogs and cats need to receive annual vaccines. Some vaccines will be available in 3-year intervals once your pet is a year old and received all their vaccines when they were younger. To receive the benefit of 3-year intervals, it is important to keep your pet up-to-date on their vaccines.

Sign up to our newsletter

Want to receive the latest updates and news from ARC?
Sign up below to get our monthly email newsletter

With Support From

The Animal Rescue Coalition is a 501(c)(3) National Nonprofit organization (EIN# 65-0950292).