Chucho and his brother Juanito patiently waited in line for their shots like good puppies. It helped that he was comforted in his mother's arms and given a special treat: peanut butter on a stick.
The two young husky mix puppies were two of hundreds of dogs to receive free vaccines from the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) on Saturday morning. A line of cars waiting for the clinic to open stretched from Airport Way to the clinic venue next to the racetrack.
Victoria Lopez, 16, said she brought Juanito and Chucho (meaning “mongrel” in Spanish) to the clinic to protect her pets.
“We wanted to get them vaccinated to protect them,” Lopez said as she held them. “We've been hearing about this and it's great that they did this.”
“We know that many people in Stockton and the Central Valley have difficulty accessing veterinary care,” said SF SPCA CEO Jennifer Scarlett. “Even for the most basic of care, like vaccinations. It's not just about economics, it's also because of the severe shortage of veterinarians. So doing a large-scale vaccine clinic like this is extremely difficult for a lot of people. It’s a way to make a quick impact.”
Several volunteers from San Joaquin County and surrounding areas worked together with local agencies, including the local chapter of the Animal Protection League (APL). Stockton APL Community Outreach Director Jill Antonini said the veterinarian shortage is a big problem in San Joaquin County, as it is elsewhere.
“Veterinary costs are rising, so clinics like this help owners take preventive measures to keep their pets healthy,” Antonini said. “And it's not just a financial thing. Finding a veterinarian can be very difficult.”
Scarlett said the SF SPCA hopes to return to Stockton in the near future, but no date has been set at this time. Among those who were happy to participate was Jorge Vargas, who brought his 8-year-old Labrador-Golden Retriever mix Scooby with him.
“I found out about this on the San Joaquin Animal Shelter website,” Vargas said. “That was a big help to us.”
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