Dog & Cat 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.
All wellness appointments scheduled with our Essential Care Clinic will require a $25 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.
2025 Pricing Update: Starting January 2025, our clinic pricing will be updated. While the new rates take effect next year on January 1, we are already booking into 2025, so please plan accordingly.
Thank you for your continued trust and support!
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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
A general veterinary wellness exam is a routine check-up designed to monitor a pet’s overall health. It typically includes a visual physical examination from nose to tail, where the vet will check vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, and respiration and ensure your pet is healthy enough to receive its vaccines and other medical services that day.
Cost: General Veterinary $25, Booster Exam $10
Microchipping
A microchip is a tiny implantable scannable 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
Annual Bloodwork
Annual bloodwork for pets is an important part of their preventive healthcare. It helps detect hidden health issues, such as kidney disease, liver problems, infections, or diabetes, before symptoms become noticeable. Blood tests provide valuable insights into organ function, blood cell counts, and overall health, allowing for early intervention and treatment. If illness is detected based on results, we would refer you to a primary care for further diagnostics and follow up care.
Cost: $55-$85 dependent on age
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:
Iverhart Max: This pork-flavored chew is given monthly for the prevention of canine heartworm disease by eliminating heartworm larvae after infection. This medication can also be used for the treatment and control of roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. This is labelled for puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 6 pounds.
Nexgard: A soft, tasty beef-flavored chew that is safe for puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 4 pounds. NexGard kills fleas and ticks for 30 days. It prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs.
Bravecto: Used for 3 month coverage for flea and tick protection for dogs. This pork flavored chew starts killing fleas and ticks within hours, prevents flea infestations, kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, brown dog tick and Asian long-horned tick for 12 weeks) and kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks.
Senergy: A topical prevention that is used to kill adult fleas while controlling flea infestations and prevents heartworm disease, treats ear mites, treats and controls hookworm and roundworms (cats) and also treats/controls sarcoptic mange and ticks (dogs) for 30 days
Nexgard Combo: An easy-to-apply topical solution that provides 30 days of protection. Safe for cats and kittens 8 weeks of age or older, weighing 1.8 pounds or more. Kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
Help Create Happy, Healthy Pet Families
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.