From the Orange County Newsroom
In an effort to promote a healthier pet population in the region, Orange County Animal Services is hosting free vaccination and microchipping events — Animal Rabies Vaccine and Microchipping (ARM) events — twice a quarter starting on February 26, 2025.
“While our shelter pets are our priority, we’re also finding ways we can help community pets, which will inevitably help the shelter,” said Diane Summers, manager, Orange County Animal Services. “By vaccinating our community pets, we hope to curb preventable diseases and viruses from occurring. Without these vaccines, pets both in and out of the shelter could face devastating consequences.”
Florida statute 828.30 legally mandates all dogs, cats and ferrets four months of age or older must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian or person qualified to administer the vaccine. Orange County residents who have not vaccinated their pet for rabies could receive a citation.
In Orange County and surrounding areas, the average cost of a microchip and vaccinations for Rabies (DAPP and Bordetella) cost pet owners approximately $90. Orange County Animal Services wants to assist residents by providing access to these services at no cost and in a fast, convenient drive-thru manner in the shelter’s carport area.
Summers asserted that microchipping your pet is the most effective way to reunite with your pet if it ever gets lost. A microchip is a permanent identification form implanted under the pet’s skin, typically by the shoulder blades.
“While tags can often be lost or discarded, a microchip cannot,” she explained. “When scanned, it presents with a unique number and can be searched on a national database to find the owner’s current contact information immediately.”
The ARM events are scheduled for this year's first and second quarters. The dates for the third and fourth quarters will be announced later.
- Cats only: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2769 Conroy Road, Orlando, Florida 32839
- Dogs only: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Cats only: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- Times and locations for the events in May are to be announced.
For more information about the ARM events or Orange County Animal Services, you can go to Orange County Animal Services.
