The Oak Cliff Blessing of the Animals will be providing FREE spay and neuter resources to the 75208 zip code. Brought to you by the Oak Cliff Animal Initiative, Tyler Street United Methodist Church, Gypsy Dog Ops, and the SPCA of Texas, our event is a community wide blessing of the animals with free vaccination, microchipping, and spay and neuter services designed to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership through information sharing and free resources. Hosted by Tyler Street United Methodist Church (TSUMC), the event will be held on Sunday, October 2nd  in honor of St. Francis Feast day, the traditional blessing of the Animals Day.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS?

The Blessing of the Animals is open to all people and all denominations. It is a community event celebrating and blessing our companion animals. Since part of the responsibility of owning a companion animal is keeping them healthy, providing them shelter and love, and keeping them safe, the event will also connect community pet owners and pet services.

FREE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES (you must make an appointment – the phone number will be available on September 19th -see below for details)

The day’s event will include a free spay and neuter mash unit for surgeries. Part of being a good steward of a companion animal is to follow the law and spay and neutering your pets. It is our responsibilities as pet owners to keep our families and communities safe and spay and neuter significantly reduces the likelihood that a dog will bite someone in its own family. There are many, many, other benefits to spay or neutering your pet. Here are a few from the ASCPA:

BENEFITS OF SPAY AND NEUTER:

• Spaying and neutering dramatically reduces the number of stray animals on the streets. Strays can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, and scare people, so the reduction is a plus.
• There are many health benefits to spaying and neutering your dogs, cats and rabbits!  Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer.  Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
• Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.  Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering.
• Many unneutered pets have aggression problems and often mark their territory with strong-scented urine, which can make the household unbearable. Early neutering can nix aggression.
• Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered as early as 2 months of age.
• A spay or neutered dog is still a good watchdog.

Spay and neuter surgeries will be provided to anyone in the 75208 zip code or in the 31 neighborhoods listed on the OOCCL map below. An appointment is required for spay and neuter services. The SPCA of Texas will take all calls for appointments and they will explain pre and post op instructions when you book your appointment, and they will make a reminder call ahead of the event.

Spay and neuter surgeries will be provided to anyone in the 75208 zip code or in the 31 neighborhoods listed on the OOCCL map below. An appointment is required for spay and neuter services. The SPCA of Texas will take all calls for appointments and they will explain pre and post op instructions when you book your appointment, and they will make a reminder call ahead of the event.

To make an appointment: please call Angie, the SPCA of Texas’s Community Pet Program Supervisor to schedule your appointment. If you get her voicemail, your call will be return by the end of the next business day. Calls will be answered in the order that they were received. Please be patient and THANK YOU for scheduling an appointment for your pet’s free spay or neuter!  Angie: 214-789-0988

Help us spread the word about this amazing free resource. Normally a spay or neuter can cost between $150-$300!! It’s totally free through this event! Spaces are limited, so call now. We will also be keeping a waiting list and will try (no guarantee) to fund everyone on the waiting list.

*These services are not for shelter, rescue, or breeder’s animals. Special discounts are available for shelter and rescue groups outside of this event.

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FREE VACCINATIONS (walks ups welcome)

Just like when our kids get ready to head back to school, our animals need annual vaccinations too. The law only requires a rabies vaccine, but a good steward and animal lover should vaccinate annually against other diseases that can cause a pet to suffer terribly and die. Parvo and distemper are very common in our area and pets should be vaccinated against these diseases. If you vaccinate your animal at the Blessing of the Animals this year, you can keep your dog on an annual vaccination schedule by bringing your dog back to be blessed and receive their annual vaccines again next year.

Free vaccinations and microchips will be available on a first come first serve basis on event day between 12:30pm-3:30pm.

We are offering:

DOGS: DHPP + Rabies (Parvo, distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus type 2 and parainfluenza combo)

CATS: FVRP-C + Rabies (Respiratory diseases Feline Viral Rhinotrachetitis, Calicivirus,  Panleukopenia, and Pink Eye (Chlamydia) combo shot)

*These services are not for shelter, rescue, or breeder’s animals. Special discounts are available for shelter and rescue groups outside of this event.

FREE MICROCHIPPING (walks ups welcome)

Many companion animals are lost and never find their way back home.  Statistics show that 1 pet in 3 gets lost sometime during its life, and without proper ID, 90% never return home! The most important thing you can do to make sure your dog or cat gets home is to microchip your pet. Have your pet micro chipped for free at the Blessing of the Animals.

Micro-chipping is the easiest way to ensure you pet is returned quickly and safely. It really works. Vets and shelters are all equipped and required to scan the dogs and your information will be instantly linked to the dog. It’s a one-time investment, and in this case, it’s FREE!!! If you love your pet, get them micro-chipped!!!

*These services are not for shelter, rescue, or breeder’s animals. Special discounts are available for shelter and rescue groups outside of this event. 

To read more about what other events and activities are planned for the Blessing of the Animals click here 

EVENT SCHEDULE:

12:30-4:30 PM – Activity areas

12:30-3:30 PM –Vaccination / micro chipping – Walk ups

TBD – Spay and Neuter Animal drop off and pick up  (drop off and pick up time will be given time when appointment is made)

3:00-3:30 PM  – Pooch Parade

4:00-4:15PM – Blessing of the Animals – All activities and booths will shut down during the actual blessing (no activity from approximately 4:00-4:15)

4:30 PM – Event Ends