Camden city residents urged to ‘bring your pet’ to local high school for
Free Vaccines and Pet Food, May 21
CAMDEN – Pet owners living in the 9.5 square-mile city limits of Camden are urged to bring
their dog or cat for free distemper/Parvo vaccines and free bag of food. The immunizations and
pet food distribution will highlight one of the projects featured at the annual health fair on
Thursday, May 21, 2009, on the grounds of the Dr. E. Charles Brimm Medical Arts High School,
1626 Copewood St., Camden City, NJ from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For five years, NJ Aid for Animals (NJAFA) President, Kathy McGuire, has been traveling to and
from Camden getting permission from dog and cat owners to take their pets for spaying and
neutering procedures to stop the burgeoning overpopulation of unwanted pets. Along with this,
they also “aid” animals in need and most often it is to help with dogs with Parvo. According to
emergency veterinarians, they see more dogs in summer for PARVO than any other case.
Their mission is to “aid” animals in need as well and very often it is to help dogs seriously ill
with Parvo. According to emergency veterinarians, other than heat stroke they see more dogs
in summer for PARVO than any other illness.
McGuire, invited to be part of the Brimm Medical Arts High School Freshman Project, by teacher
Karen Borrelli, is lending her nonprofit name and experience with the animals in Camden City to
enthusiastic students who have made this annual health fair a signature event.
In keeping with their goal of helping the community and the animals McGuire and Ms.Borrelli’s
class decided to partner on a food bank and vaccine clinic.
The students came up with a name for their project, “Brimm’s Chow Hound House” complete
with a logo, a mission statement and a goal to use any and all donations to supply pet food
Camden City residents struggling to feed not only their families but their pets. Dr. E. Charles
Brimm Medical Arts High School is a charter school for students preparing for a career in
medicine.
“Parvo is a very deadly contagious disease that most often strikes puppies ,” and a simple
vaccine given early can save its life if given early. McGuire explains. “But even if your dog is
out of the puppy stage, this is a very important vaccine that should be administered to prevent
disease. Kittens and cats get the Feline Distemper Combo vaccine. Normally the cost of a
veterinary office visit and one shot totals about $65 – but it’s all being provided free of charge
plus a bag of food on May 21. This is one health fair Camden City pet owners don’t want to miss
and a great opportunity..
Calling in NJAFA’s other partners, Atlantic Co. SPCA will be generously donating their mobile
medical van and Camden Co Animal Shelter’s qualified veterinarians will staff it, while the three
groups will be providing the vaccines, supplies and volunteers. Animal Orphanage in Voorhees
is also sharing and contributing a considerable amount of food to help the animals in Camden.
“These caring students have turned this year’s annual health fair into a full-blown project,
designed to educate and inform about pet wellness and come to the aid of pet owners in need,”
McGuire reports. This is a wonderful opportunity for residents of Camden City to get their dogs
and cats shots.
"Partnering is a way to pool energy, resources, funds and experience", states McGuire. We can
more effectively help animals as a team“. More importantly, reaching and working with the
children in any infrastructure to bring awareness about humane education is vital.”
This impressive community partnership, steps up efforts by local animal rescue groups to
promote humane care and treatment of dogs and cats.
“Forming alliances with other non-profit organizations will allow us to provide more needed
services to residents with pets, as well as raise the standard of care for animals in Camden
City," says Niki Dawson, executive director of the Camden County Animal Shelter.
Each pet owner will receive Canine Distemper/ Parvo vaccine for dogs and Feline Distemper
Combo for cats. A free bag of food will also be given to each owner, while supplies last.
Vaccines and food will be distributed on a first-come, first- served basis.
Bags of food and the shots will be distributed on the school’s loading dock located on the side of
the building near the cafeteria. In case of rain, distribution will take place by the side entrance of
the school.
For more information about this project or to donate food or money for vaccines, please contact
McGuire at (856) 498-3978 or visit www.njafa.org