Dog & Cat Microchips & Vaccine Clinic in Charlotte

Dog & Cat Microchips & Vaccine Clinic in Charlotte

Welcome to Our Essential Care Clinic

At the Humane Society of Charlotte, we care about the four-legged members of our community and want to do our part to keep them healthy.

That’s why we offer our Essential Care Wellness Clinic: a low-cost, high-quality pet vaccine clinic in Charlotte.

Whether your kitty needs to be microchipped or your pup needs a round of shots, we can help. Our wellness clinic is located at 1348 Parker Drive in Charlotte and is open Monday through Friday by appointment. To get started, click “Book an Appointment” below. **Please note: Due to national and local veterinary professional staffing shortages, appointment availability is currently limited. All open appointments will be made available through our website.

All wellness appointments scheduled with our Essential Care Clinic will require a $15 non-refundable deposit at the time of scheduling. This deposit will go directly towards the cost of services at the time of check-out. 

Any cancellations or no-shows will result in the conversion of your deposit into a donation.

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Wellness Services

At our pet vaccine clinic in Charlotte, we offer a variety of services to ensure your pet lives a long, happy life.

If you have medical concerns or emergencies in regard to your pet, please contact a Primary Care clinic or call and speak with one of our highly-trained Client Service Associates for information on primary clinics in the Charlotte area.


Please be aware that our pricing will be adjusted in the upcoming year. The prices listed below indicate the 2024 rates, which will come into effect on January 1st, 2024.

We provide:

General Wellness Exam

Cost: $15 (please note your deposit will go towards the cost of your exam fee)

Microchipping

A microchip is a tiny implantable computer chip, no bigger than a grain of rice, with a unique identification number that helps reunite you with your lost pet. Ask about microchipping your pet during their spay or neuter!

Please note that a microchip is not a GPS device – rather a microchip uses radio-frequency identification. A scanner activates the radio frequency and the chip transmits information to the scanner.

Cost: $25

1-Year or 3-Year Rabies Vaccine

As a Charlotte rabies clinic, we are dedicated to protecting pets and their owners from rabies – a fatal virus spread through the saliva of infected animals.

Typically, puppies and kittens receive their first rabies vaccine at 12 to 16 weeks with a booster either annually or every three years depending on vaccine history and doctor discretion.

Sufficient proof of a prior rabies vaccination is a requirement for 3-year administration. A current rabies vaccine is the only vaccine required by the state of North Carolina.

Cost: $20

Canine Distemper/Parvo Vaccine (DA2PP)

We offer a vaccine to aid in protection against Canine Distemper virus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Adenovirus.

Both distemper and parvo are potentially fatal viral infections that cause worrisome symptoms. Luckily, our dog vaccine clinic in Charlotte can protect Fido from both of these illnesses.

Dogs can begin this vaccine series as young as 6 weeks old. Once the initial booster series is complete, pups should receive an updated DA2PP vaccine annually. This is considered to be a core vaccine.

Puppies between 2 to 6 months are most vulnerable, as are pregnant and immunocompromised dogs. Since these viruses can live on surfaces for up to a year, it is very important to vaccinate your pet.

Cost: $15

Canine Bordetella Vaccine

Also called kennel cough, bordetella is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes a loud, hacking cough.

Fortunately, the bordetella vaccine is very effective at preventing this illness in dogs. This vaccine is often required by many grooming, boarding, or doggie-daycare facilities. This vaccine can be administered as young as 8 weeks.

Cost: $15

Canine Leptospirosis Vaccine

At our dog vaccine clinic in Charlotte, we can also vaccinate pups against leptospirosis. This zoonotic disease is carried by wildlife like rats and raccoons and can be spread from animals to people.

If contracted, leptospirosis can attack the liver and kidneys in canines. It is potentially fatal.

Canines can begin this booster vaccine series as young as 12 weeks. Once the initial series is complete, dogs should receive the vaccine annually. This vaccine is especially recommended for dogs who swim in lakes/streams or live on farms/in the country.

Cost: $20

Canine Heartworm Testing

Heartworm is a serious disease caused by a parasitic worm that’s spread by infected mosquitoes. Once the host has been infected, the worms develop and live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels.

If your dog has developed unusual symptoms, like a persistent cough or weight loss, we can check for heartworms using a simple blood test.

Annual heartworm testing, as well as regular monthly prevention, is strongly recommended for the overall health of your pet.

Accurate test results can be obtained as young as 7 months of age. However, you can begin regular monthly prevention for your pet as young as 8 weeks.

Cost: $25

Feline Distemper Vaccine (FVRCP)

Cats can also develop potentially fatal distemper. We offer a combo vaccine for felines too!

Our FVRCP vaccine helps protect against contraction of Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia. Cats can begin this booster series vaccine as young as 6 weeks old.

Once the initial booster series is complete, cats should receive an updated FVRCP vaccine annually. This is considered to be a core vaccine.

Kittens between 2 to 6 months are most vulnerable, as are pregnant and immunocompromised cats. Since this virus can live on surfaces for up to a year, it is very important to vaccinate your pet.

Cost: $15

Feline Leukemia Vaccine

The feline leukemia virus is one of the leading causes of death in cats. This virus slowly weakens a feline’s immune system and may cause anemia or lymphoma, making them more susceptible to other lethal diseases.

To protect your kitty from this condition, vaccination is a must. This vaccine can only be administered after a negative test and will require a booster for a first-time recipient.

After the initial booster, this vaccine can be administered annually without retesting (at a doctor’s discretion). Kittens as young as 8 weeks old can receive a test and begin this vaccine.

Cost: $22

Feline Leukemia and FIV Test

Known as a feline combo test, this highly accurate, simple blood test can detect early signs of feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus (FeLV or FIV respectively).

Cats who spend time roaming outdoors or who have other multi-cat interactions would benefit from this test and corresponding FeLV vaccination.

At this time, there is no vaccine for FIV. Cats as young as 8 weeks may receive a combo test and begin FeLV vaccines.

Cost: $25

Nail Trimming (Add-On Service)

At our clinic, nail trims are considered an elective, add-on service. At this time, we do not see pets for nail trims only.

Cost: $25

Deworming

Animals can pick up intestinal worms by eating raw meat, drinking contaminated water, or even walking through the grass and then grooming themselves. We can help deworm your pet by administering a medication that kills certain parasites, many of which can be spread to humans.

We recommend pet parents begin deworming when their puppy or kitten begins their vaccine booster series. However, deworming can begin as young as 2 weeks of age.

At our clinic, deworming is considered an elective, add-on service. Unfortunately, we do not see pets for deworming only. However, once a pet is started on monthly heartworm prevention, they are also receiving a monthly dewormer.

Cost: $10/based on weight

Fecal Testing

Routine fecal examinations are used to detect intestinal parasites in your dog and cat. These parasites may include worms (such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms) and microscopic parasites.

Cost: $25


Preventative Medications

To keep your pet in tip-top shape, we also offer affordable heartworm and flea/tick preventative medications at the Humane Society of Charlotte. These include:

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal, condition caused by a parasitic worm spread by infected mosquitoes.

For optimal protection, your pet should be tested annually for heartworms and be given heartworm prevention every single month, year-round. This medication will also prevent certain zoonotic intestinal parasites. We prescribe Iverheart as our heartworm medication.

Pet Weight (lbs.)30-Day Supply Cost6-Month Supply Cost
2 to 12 lbs.$7$42
12.1 to 25 lbs.$8$48
25.1 to 50 lbs. $9$54
50.1 to 100 lbs.$10$60

Flea/Tick Prevention for Dogs  

At our pet vaccine clinic in Charlotte, we take fleas and ticks very seriously. These nasty critters can cause everything from tapeworm to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Luckily, a monthly preventative can mitigate disease. We prescribe Nexguard as our flea/tick preventative medication.

Pet Weight (lbs.)30-Day Supply Cost3-Month Supply Cost
4 to 10 lbs.$19$57
10.1 to 24 lbs.$20$60
24.1 to 60 lbs. $21$63
60.1 to 121 lbs. $22$66

Flea and Heartworm Prevention for Cats

Cats are also vulnerable to diseases carried by fleas and heartworms. To protect everyone in your family – two-legged and otherwise – we recommend a monthly preventative. We prescribe Synergy and/or Nexgard Combo for cat prevention.

Pet Weight (lbs.)Synergy CostNexgard Combo
1 to 5 lbs.$12$20
5.1 to 15 lbs.$13$20
15.1 to 22 lbs.$14$22

Your financial support allows us to provide low-cost, high-quality pet vaccines and wellness services to our Charlotte community. Thanks to community members like you, we can create a future where all companion animals have the support, care, and human connections they need to lead healthy, rewarding lives.

Do you want to help us achieve our mission? Consider donating to the Humane Society of Charlotte. Every contribution – from a single gift to a monthly recurring donation – counts.


Essential Care FAQs

How often does my pet need a rabies vaccine? 

At our rabies clinic in Charlotte, we typically vaccinate puppies and kittens against rabies at 12 to 16 weeks. Pets should then receive a rabies vaccine annually, as required by the state. A 3-year vaccination may be provided at a doctor’s discretion and is dependent upon prior rabies vaccination history and proof of proper documentation. 

Does my dog have heartworms?

The only way to know if your dog has heartworms is to make an appointment at our Essential Care Wellness Clinic. From there, veterinarians will conduct a simple blood test. Though heartworm disease is somewhat common, it is more likely that your dog’s symptoms (e.g. cough, fatigue, weight loss) are related to another condition. Be sure to contact your Primary Care Veterinarian for an evaluation. 

How often does my pet need flea and tick preventative?  

We recommend that pet owners give dogs and cats flea and tick preventative year-round based on the medication’s directions. Though you may be tempted to skip doses come winter, fleas and ticks can still be a problem in the cooler months, especially in the south.

My pet wears a collar. Do they still need to be microchipped? 

Yes. Collars can slip off or break. Microchips are a more reliable way of finding a lost dog or cat.  Studies show that dogs are 2.5 times more likely to be successfully reunited with their family if they have a microchip. Cats are 20 times more likely to find their way home if they are microchipped.