New Orleans: Free Pet and Human Vaccines Scheduled for Saturday
The Louisiana SPCA and the city Health Department will host a combined wellness event on Nov. 7 in Algiers, offering low-cost preventive care for residents and their animals.
By Marta Gray ·
Residents in the Algiers district can access free preventive health services for both themselves and their pets on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Louisiana SPCA will host One Health New Orleans at its campus located at 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd. in cooperation with the New Orleans Health Department and local community groups.
The event coincides with National One Health Week and aims to lower the financial and logistical hurdles that often prevent families from obtaining routine care. By grouping human and animal health services in a single location, organizers hope to streamline the process for households that might otherwise struggle to visit separate clinics for different needs.
Walgreens will administer free vaccinations to human attendees. The Louisiana SPCA will provide free rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella shots for dogs, along with rabies and FVRCP vaccinations for cats. Dog owners living outside Orleans and Plaquemines parishes will need to purchase their rabies licenses from their specific local governments.
Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the Louisiana SPCA, stated that caring for animals requires supporting the people who love them. She noted that the event reflects a commitment to making preventive care more accessible. Zorrilla said, “When we invest in the well-being of people and animals together, we strengthen our entire community.”
The 2025 edition of this event served as the largest single-site gathering of its kind for the organization. In that year, 561 pets received vaccinations, 414 pet owners received support, and 459 rabies tags were distributed. The New Orleans Health Department administered vaccinations to 111 people, with families traveling from across south Louisiana to use the services.
Shana Hayward, director of community initiatives at the Louisiana SPCA, said financial challenges make routine veterinary care difficult for many families. She added, “By bringing these services directly into the community, we’re helping pet owners overcome those barriers and take proactive steps to protect their animals’ health.”
Attendees are advised to arrive early and bring folding chairs, as they will likely wait outdoors. Dogs must remain on leashes and cats must be secured in carriers for the safety of everyone present. Pre-registration details are available at www.louisianaspca.org/events.
