RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker says Mildura is a hotspot for Parvovirus and has urged residents to take their dogs to a free vaccination clinic.
RSPCA's local community outreach program, Mildura Loves Pets, is this weekend hosting a free vaccination clinic to protect local dogs from Parvovirus.
Dr Walker is in Mildura for the clinic, which is the first of two this month, to help administer vaccinations.
She said the team aimed to vaccinate up to 300 dogs this weekend to help the RSPCA reach its local target of 2500 dogs.
"Parvo is a highly infectious but preventable disease of dogs, it often affects puppies but it will also affect unvaccinated adult dogs,” she said. “It all too frequently results in terrible pain and suffering and death often in the younger dogs.
"One of the reasons we are focusing so much on parvo at Mildura Loves Pets is that Mildura is a hot spot for parvo. We are not really sure why, it might be because of the climate, but regardless too many dogs are suffering and dying because of it and it is completely preventable with vaccinations."
Dr Walker said she knew Mildura residents loved their pets, and the RSPCA was there to help keep them safe.
“We know that people want to do everything they can to do what's right for them, but we know people have had trouble doing that," she said.
"We are here to help."
Due to Sunraysia's high Parvovirus rates, Dr Walker said it was important people took the opportunity to attend the free clinics.
"The point about Parvo is it is a horrendous disease and it is going to kill a lot of animals that get it," she said.
"If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we need to get a significant proportion of the community vaccinated. We calculated that if we got 2,500 dogs vaccinated it would make a big difference."
Dr Walker said the RSPCA was able to help Mildura pet owners thanks to a bequest made by local Joyce Wells.
"(Joyce Wells) was a local who loved animals,” Dr Walker said. “She left a really significant amount of money and said help the people of Sunraysia care for their animals better.
"When we spoke to the community this is what they said we really needed to do.
"It is because of her we are able to do this."
Bookings can be made for this weekend’s at www.eventbrite.com.au but walk-ins are accepted until noon Sunday.
Bookings for the next vaccination clinic, held on November 25 to 27, can be made by contacting Mildura Loves Pets at 1300020040 or online at a later date.