GAYLORD

Pet health insurer agrees to cover cost of parvo vaccines, boosters

Staff reports
Ramona, a schnoodle, along with Nicole Weller and Judith Leveque (back), of Indian River wait in line on Aug. 24 at the Otsego County Fire Department at 811 S. Wisconsin Ave. in Gaylord. A veterinarian will provide vaccine injections for the canine parvovirus (parvo) and rabies at the vaccine clinic sponsored by the Otsego County Animal Control/Shelter that will run every Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. until Sept. 21.

GAYLORD — A pet health insurance provider has agreed to cover the cost of the canine parvovirus vaccine for dogs at the drive-thru clinic sponsored by the Otsego County Animal Shelter.

Dog owners in Northern Michigan have been on high alert as more than 30 dogs have died in recent weeks from an illness later confirmed to be parvo, or a canine parvovirus infection. It's a serious illness for which there is a vaccine. Most dogs receive their parvo vaccine as part of their “puppy shots;” however for the vaccine to be effective the dogs must also receive parvo boosters, which many do not receive.

Embrace Pet Insurance is teaming up with the Otsego County Animal Shelter and will be offering free parvo vaccines (including follow-up boosters) throughout the month via a drive-thru vaccination clinic. The Otsego County Animal Shelter recently began the drive-thru clinic, charging dog owners a reduced fee for vaccines. Moving forward, Embrace Pet Insurance will not only pick up the entire cost of the vaccines; but will also assist in staffing the clinic and administering vaccines.

“One of our core values is ‘giving back,’ and we take it very seriously,” Brian Macias, president of Embrace Pet Insurance, said in a statement. “We’re always looking for ways to help the animal community, and we can’t think of a better way to share our resources than by offering free parvo vaccines in Michigan, so pet parents have peace of mind their beloved dogs are safe. We’ll also be reaching out to all dog owners who already paid for a vaccine through the Otsego County Animal Shelter and will send them a check to cover the cost of the vaccine.”

More:Vaccine clinic set up for dogs as illness spreads in Northern Michigan

Embrace Pet Insurance is teaming up with the Otsego County Animal Shelter and will be offering free parvo vaccines (including follow-up boosters) via a drive-through vaccination clinic from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Otsego County Fire Department in Gaylord on Sept. 7, 14 and 21.

“The Otsego County Animal Control/Shelter is extremely grateful to Embrace Pet Insurance for reaching out and providing vet techs and funding for our vaccination clinics,” added Melissa FitzGerald, director of the county animal shelter. “The dogs of Otsego County and the surrounding areas will be the beneficiaries of this partnership.”

The drive-thru clinic will occur from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Otsego County Fire Department, 811 S. Wisconsin Ave. in Gaylord on Sept. 7, 14 and 21.