A group of Salem nonprofits will be offering microchips and vaccinating cats and dogs at a low price on Sunday, March 30, at the Scottish Rite Center, located at 4090 Commercial Ave. S.E. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. Eight volunteer veterinarians will serve anyone who is in line by 1 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Marion County Dog Services will also be present to license dogs, which is legally required. Organizers will offer free pet food, cat litter, leashes, harnesses and collars while supplies last.  The event is sponsored by Little Critters Rescue, Prevent a Litter, Operation D.O.G, 4 All MuttKind and Friends of Felines, all Salem-area nonprofits. Unsheltered pet owners and people with proof of government assistance will get all services for free. Otherwise, prices are $25 for vaccines, $25 for microchips without licensing and $37 for dog licensing, which includes a free microchip.  Vaccines available include rabies, distemper combo — also known as DHPP — for dogs and feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia — or FVRCP — for cats. The idea came in 2021 when Samantha Paxin, at the time a volunteer serving dinner to unhoused people at ARCHES, helped out a pet owner whose dog had worms and was in bad condition. “I was like ‘Let me get you some medicine,’” she said. Paxin has been organizing yearly vaccine clinics ever since.  Last year, Paxin — who now volunteers at Little Critters Rescue — partnered with Friends of Felines and held the vaccine clinic in Keizer, serving 450 dogs. She expects this year’s clinic to be the largest as the number of veterinarians available has doubled since last year.  “We’re hoping it’ll go faster than last year, but we are expecting a large number of people to show up,” she said.  Salem dog owners will especially benefit from the event as they have fewer options than cat owners, Paxin said, noting that Friends of Felines recently opened a new low cost clinic.  There are also low cost services for cats and dogs in other cities such as Portland, McMinnville and Bend, but very few in Salem, according to Paxin. “There’s definitely a need in the community,” she said. Paxin believes vaccines are cheap compared to the potential cost of treating pet diseases. “A simple vaccine can keep a dog from getting sick and not dying, and the treatment for parvo (a canine disease) is thousands of dollars, which nobody has,” she said.  The initiative comes as some of the participating nonprofits are involved in reducing the rate of new cats and dogs being born in Salem. “Shelters and rescues are full and people are dumping dogs and cats left and right,” Paxin said. “We’re kind of in an animal crisis.” Apart from veterinarians, the event will include volunteer groomers trimming nails for free, Paxin said. The service is only for healthy pets and veterinarians will not answer general health questions. Cat owners must use carriers and dog owners must use leashes or kennels to transport their pets. Free parking is available behind the building. Contact reporter Alan Cohen: alan.salemreporter@gmail.com. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE – If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post Low-cost pet vaccines, microchips available Sunday in Salem appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less