POUND Hounds charity is offering free Parvo vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and microchipping at the Centennial Park Pavilion at Te Kūiti on November 27. The vaccinations numbers are limited. People are expected to drive up with their dogs and stay in the car – just like a drive-through. “If your dog’s parvo vaccination isn’t up to date or they’re due for a flea or worm treatment, or you’d like your dog to be microchipped, but you cannot afford it, then we encourage you to come along to this free event,” WDC animal control officer Michelle Clark said. The event will be held from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. A desexing option will also be available on the day for a lower cost. A koha for those who’d like to contribute is also welcome. Dog owners can pre-register online to ensure their dog will receive treatment. “If you sign up to get your dog desexed, you will be charged a lower rate of only $70 for males, and $90 for females (conditions apply), and we’ll get you booked into a veterinarian clinic as soon as possible,” Michelle said. A community services card or proof of hardship will be required for the desexing option. It’s the first time WDC has worked with Pound Hounds at a vaccination event. The council is contributing staff time to organising it, and on the day, to assist in running the event. The council has also enabled the event by providing the use of WDC facilities. Community events such as our No Parvo No Puppies community vaccination clinics and low cost desexing programs are run and funded entirely by Pound Hounds Rescue through donations, fundraising and on occasion, grants, trustee Rachel Haakma said. “There are a lot of people out there doing it tough at the moment and we love to be able to get out in our community and help with things like Parvo vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, microchipping and where we can, food, bedding and other things people may need help with for their dogs,” she said. “We also feel very passionate about desexing of dogs to avoid unwanted litters, dogs roaming, health issues and the stress that all of this can bring to a family. “We are very excited to be coming to Te Kūiti for the first time to offer this clinic and are also very grateful that the council has been so enthusiastic and supportive about our event.” She said the council wasn’t funding any of this event but Pound Hounds had not asked them to. “They have kindly allowed us to use the area we will be holding the event for free, have offered to help with promoting the event so we can reach as many people as possible and we’ll have some of the council team there to help us on the day too, which is amazing,” Rachel said. The event will be held in the driveway beside the netball pavilion, where the Covid testing was held.
