CHILLICOTHE, OH – Keeping your family safe and healthy is important as the kids return to school and we start preparing for cold and flu season. But did you know it’s also important to be sure your four-legged family member is also up to date on his or her vaccines.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), a time when healthcare providers highlight the value of vaccines for people of all ages. Petland reminds you that it’s also the perfect time to extend that awareness to pets. Immunizations help to protect our furry friends from preventable and often life-threatening diseases.

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to safeguard a pets’ health by training its immune systems to fight off infectious diseases before they cause serious harm. Core vaccines, such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and feline panleukopenia are recommended for all pets, while lifestyle-specific (non-core) vaccines like Bordetella, leptospirosis, or Lyme disease are tailored to a pet’s environment, lifestyle, and exposure risk.

Immunization can also protect your pet when they meet other animals in communal spaces like dog parks, doggie daycare and when boarding. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), timely vaccinations not only protect pets, they also help to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases; illnesses that can be transmitted between animals and people.

“Vaccinations are not just about keeping your pet healthy. They’re about protecting your entire family and community,” said Veterinarian Sarah Hettinger, DVM of Animal Health Care Center of Chillicothe. “Routine checkups and on-time vaccines are among the best tools we have to prevent devastating illnesses in pets. National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect reminder to review your pet’s records and to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.”

Immunizations protect people and pets, but the safety, efficacy and quality of over-the-counter vaccines can be questionable. When pet owners attempt to save money by finding a do-it-yourself option online or at their local farm store, they may be putting their pet at unnecessary risk. Dr. Hettinger added, “Vaccines come at an expense, but working with your primary care veterinarian or alternative vaccination clinics, such as through a rescue, can ensure safe and timely vaccinations for your pet.”

Whether updating rabies tags or beginning a vaccine series for a new puppy or kitten, maintaining an immunization schedule is a simple step that saves lives, reduces long-term veterinary costs, and ensures a healthier future for pets and people.