Vaccination Clinics for Pets

[MsP]

Can someone talk to me about going to a vaccination clinic vs using your vet...

I kind of feel like a bad pet owner going to these low cost clinics but when my pet is healthy and happy it kind of irks me to pay a $60 office fee, get a $45 shot, be there 10 minutes... when the clinic will do it for $15.

I got my cat's rabies shot done at a clinic and then when I went into my vet because my cat was sick a couple months later I think the vet was kind of... irritated that I went there. Rightfully so I guess but in terms of my pets health... am I really doing wrong? The clinics are staffed with volunteer vets.

What do you do?

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

For this year's round of vaccinations for my dog and my two cats, I used a low-cost clinic that goes to Petco on the weekends. I agree, that it's a bit much to pay for a vet visit and the shots.
I am pro-low cost clinics. I think it gives people with limited funds the opportunity to provide for their pets. Animals wind up in shelters when their owners are unable to care for them.
But I could see why the vet offices don't like losing their business. Too bad for them.

 

[lyra]

That sounds like a good option to have. I don't have the option where I live, but we only do minimal vaccinations because 2 of our dogs have had reactions to different vaccines. We do rabies for sure though. I don't see why you think it's being a bad pet owner. I assume you take your dogs in once in a while for a check up anyway. I wish there were more affordable options like this for spaying/neutering as well. Maybe more pets would get protected.

 

[tyty333]

I see nothing wrong with going to a clinic for shots. Keeps the bill down and lets the vets worry about the sick animals.


I'm sure some vets feel differently though.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

We have excellent vaccination clinics in my area. They also will check the dogs ears, eyes, etc. Just the same as a regular exam but without the fee. I doubt you would get as good of service in a large city. I still do them and agree that there is no reason to pay all the extra fees for a healthy dog.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

There's nothing wrong with going to a clinic for a basic service. My new kitten that I got from CL wasn't neutered and I had the option of taking him to a vet and paying for an exam and neutering or taking him to a clinic. What I choose was to take him to a speciality no-kill shelter that doesn't charge, but accepts donations. I gave them a donation, which I feel was of better use than giving that $ to a vet who would charge me unnecessary fees (as my furry guy is about 4 months old and totally healthy) Oh, and that shelter I went to spays/neuters 40+ feral cats per week so I felt that my money went to helping the greater community.