Ellis County Sheriff’s Deptartment helps spearhead pet vaccine clinic

ELLIS COUNTY – It was just a little over a week ago the SPCA of Texas re-opened the Ellis County Animal Care Center after the distemper outbreak in Ellis and Dallas County that had the shelter shut down for over a month.

With many people concerned about their pets due to the outbreak, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, working alongside the SPCA of Texas, hosted a vaccine clinic for pets this past weekend, and it could not have come at a better time.

The goal had been for 200 dog and cat vaccinations.

“There were 392 vaccines given out,” said Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman. “We are proud to have been a part of the vaccine clinic with the SPCA of Texas.”

Norman added, “It was a huge success, and lots of volunteers assisted us with this endeavor.”

There were lots of smiles from the pet owners and vaccine clinic volunteers and one remark was, “The citizens that showed up with all the cats and dogs were so incredibly polite, patient and understanding. The employees of the ECSO that volunteered did a great job keeping all involved safe with all the movement of vehicles, pets, and people today.”

The event was so successful that some pet owners and their pets were turned away, but the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post stated, “…even though we unfortunately had to turn some away, everyone left today’s clinic with either a vaccinated animal(s) or a voucher for a free vaccine at a later time.”

Saturday’s vaccine clinic at the Ellis County Expo Center in Waxahachie was the largest vaccine clinic ever hosted in Ellis County.

Rabies, DAPPv and FVRCP vaccinations plus microchips were all donated by Merck and Petco Love, and were provided to “help curb the spread of preventable diseases and illnesses in pets living in Ellis County and help pets find their way home,” a SPCA of Texas Press Release stated.

The SPCA of Texas resumed intake of stray animals from partner animal control officers at the Ellis County Animal Care Center on August 5.

On August 9, the care center opened to the public for adoptions as well and resumed normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.

The press release also noted, “At this time, the SPCA of Texas is only taking in animals previously adopted from the organization as space allows, and is not able to take in owner surrenders or stray animals surrendered by individuals.”