By SHELBY STYRON
Special to The Leader
The Cabot Animal Shelter is set to host a drive-through, low-cost shot clinic from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Cabot Freshman Academy, 18 Spirit Drive.
Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are eligible for the vaccinations, which will be administered by veterinarians Mike and Karen Pallone, owners of Pallone Veterinary Hospital in Rosebud.
Rabies shots and annual shots are $10 each. Bordetella shots (kennel cough) are $10 each. Payments will be taken in cash only.
This is the fourth consecutive year of the biannual shot clinic, which is held in Cabot every March and September.
The Pallones started the shot clinic as a way to give back to the community.
“We’ve been fortunate. She (Karen) had worked with some shelters in Heber Springs and some other places. The money’s no good, but it’s nice to come help out,” Mike Pallone said.
Other than time spent waiting in line for the shot clinic, the actual vaccination process should only take about 15 minutes. The vaccinations will actually be administered to the pet while it’s in the car, Pallone said.
Pet owners will be spending a maximum of $30 per pet, while many veterinary clinics charge $100 to $200 for the same three vaccinations.
Although quick, cheap and convenient, Pallone wants to assure pet owners that this drive-through clinic should not take the place of the recommended yearly check-up at the veterinarian.
“It needs to be said that we’re examining the dog just enough to get the shots in,” Pallone said, “We’re trying to get as many dogs vaccinated as we possibly can. And this hits a demographic of people that probably weren’t going to go to the vet.”
“People come from everywhere: Malvern, Hot Springs, Little Rock. It amazes me how far they come,” Pallone said. “As far as feedback, the people love it. It’s very convenient, and it’s very cost effective.”
Last year, the shot clinic was held at Cabot Silver Screen movie theater, but because traffic backed up all the way to Cabot High School, the event was moved to Cabot Freshman Academy.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Pallone said.
The Pallones also perform low-cost spays and neuters every Tuesday at the Cabot Animal Shelter. The shelter charges $70 per surgery, but people with proof of a yearly income of less than $20,000 are only charged $35.
The cost of a spay or neuter at a regular vet clinic can range anywhere from $150 to $300 depending on the size of the animal, but at the Cabot Animal Shelter the price for the surgery on any cat or dog is set at $70.
Spays and neuters at the Cabot Animal Shelter are available by appointment only. The shelter can be reached at 501-843-2021 or animalcontrol@cabotar.gov.
