Elgin pet owners grab discounted pet vaccines

The city of Elgin welcomed pet owners to take advantage of reduced cost vaccinations for their dogs and cats Sunday in the second Pet Health and Safety Event.

Five-year-old poodle Paloma got a quick checkup along with a rabies vaccine and booster shot, which protects against four different diseases.

Paloma’s owner, José Esparza, said his dog has had a rabies vaccine every year but Sunday was the first time he brought her to Elgin’s event.

“It’s good,” Esparza said. “It costs less than you could pay in a clinic.”

Pet owners paid $35 for the vaccines and had the option of paying an extra $30 to put a microchip in their cat or dog.

Elgin Animal Clinic and Elgin Westside Animal Hospital kept the line moving quickly, offering basic services at a significant discount to residents.

Dr. Lakhwinder Dhillon, owner of Elgin Animal Clinic, said the event was a success.

“We just wanted to come here and help the city,” Dhillon said. “There are people who can’t afford to pay the regular prices.”

Councilman John Prigge pushed for the program after seeing vaccination violations top the list of citations with the city’s recently revised animal control ordinance. Prigge said the event is a way to protect Elgin citizens, keep those with pets happy, and protect their dogs and cats.

Especially in this economy, with so many out of work, Prigge said the event is a way to give people an easier way to keep up with vaccines.

The first event was held in November 2010 and another will likely be schedule for the same time in 2011.