Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is hosting its annual low-cost pet vaccine and microchip clinic on Saturday, Oct. 3, 12-3 p.m. at the Tioga County (PA) Fairgrounds. No appointment is needed. The clinic is open to anyone, no matter their income level or where they live.

Rabies vaccines are $12, distemper combo vaccines are $15 and microchips are $20. Owners can register the microchip online themselves, or for an additional $5, Second Chance will register it. The microchip does not work unless it is registered (and kept updated) with an owner’s current contact information, and there is no additional annual fee for this chip’s usage. Cash or check only; no debit or credit cards accepted at the clinic. All proceeds benefit local abandoned, homeless and at-risk dogs and cats helped by Second Chance.

Dogs and cats must be at least 12 weeks of age to participate in the clinic. Dogs are required to be on leashes and cats in carriers. Please bring water for your pet during your wait (in your car). No public restrooms will be available. The fairgrounds are at 2258 Charleston Rd., Whitneyville, parallel to Route 6 between Wellsboro and Mansfield. For questions or more information, contact Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries at 570-376-3646 or secondchanceas@yahoo.com.

About each of the clinic’s offerings:

Rabies vaccine – Rabies vaccines are mandatory for dogs and cats in both Pennsylvania and New York, as well as most other states. According to the World Health Organization, rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, but it is also 100% preventable through vaccination. At Second Chance’s clinic, rabies vaccines good for one year will be given unless proof of previous vaccine is provided, then one good for three years will be offered at the same price. Rabies vaccines are administered by Dr. Kristine Shaw, DVM, of Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital of Wellsboro.

Distemper combo vaccine – The distemper combo vaccine protects against different things for dogs and cats. For dogs, the vaccine offered at this clinic protects against canine distemper virus, hepatitis, kennel cough and parainfluenza. For cats, it protects against feline panleukopenia (often called feline distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis (caused by feline herpesvirus) and calicivirus.

Microchips –  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetimes, but microchips are the most permanent and effective way to get them back home. The chips are not GPS tracking devices. They are inserted with a needle only slightly larger than a vaccine needle between the animal’s shoulder blades. The chip works when it is scanned with a special scanner used by veterinarians, animal control, police, shelters, etc. The device displays the chip’s number, which is associated with the owner’s contact information. Owners can also report their pets missing via their microchip company. Microchips are only effective if registered with the owner’s contact info, and need to be updated each time a phone number or address changes, which can be done online or by contacting the microchip company. Some microchips require an annual fee, but the ones used at Second Chance’s clinic do not; they only require a one-time payment at the clinic.