FITCHBURG — The vaccine clinic in the city on Saturday is open to residents of all cities and towns and gives area pet owners the opportunity to safeguard their furry friends at a budget friendly cost.
Second Chance Animal Services of East Brookfield will host the spring Jeffrey P. Stephens Low-Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic at the Fitchburg Fire Department, 33 North St., on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost of a rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is $19 each, microchipping is $22, the distemper/parvo combo vaccine is free, and the city clerk will be present to register city dogs — $9 neutered, $15 intact.
In addition, Friends of Fitchburg DOGS and Be PAWSitive Therapy Pets will offer a leash exchange. Bring in your retractable plastic leash and receive a free brand-new nylon leash.
“Your dog is more safe, better trained, and more comfortable on a nylon leash,” explained TheraPAWS team member Cap Corduan, who oversees the program.
According to a press release the clinic is named after Stephens, who worked for the Board of Health in Leominster and previously in Fitchburg and launched pet vaccine clinics in Fitchburg 15 years ago. After his untimely passing in 2022, his widow Deana Stephens shared this about her husband, who was well respected in the community.
“Along with all the work he did for the Fitchburg Board of Health, Jeff was extremely proud to help establish an affordable vaccine clinic for residents and their pets,” she said. “Not only did he do whatever was possible for people, but his caring nature extended to their four-legged companions. All pets found a soft spot in his heart and even though we are still devastated by his sudden passing, we continue to carry out the efforts he put in place many years ago to help our furry friends. Our family is comforted that his legacy continues because of Second Chance Animal Services’ long commitment to providing low-cost vaccines for pets in our community.”
Be PAWSitive founder and Director Sally Cragin, who serves as a Fitchburg Councilor-at-large, said the clinic “would not exist without Jeff.”
“He helped organize the very first one in 2011 and we were delighted to vaccinate 33 cats and dogs at that time,” she said. “Now Second Chance is able to vaccinate hundreds of residents’ dogs.”
Cragin gave a shoutout to the Fitchburg Fire Department, which she said, “is absolutely critical” when it comes to the success of the annual clinics “and we appreciate their generosity in opening their bay for this unique community event.”
Dogs must be on a leash and cats in carriers for the safety of all. Walk-ins are welcome or visit secondchanceanimals.org to reserve a spot and for more information or to RSVP email Sally Cragin at [email protected].
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