Working with dog sterilization projects in developing countries and resource-limited areas, we are constantly reminded of how important vaccinations are to these populations as well. Most spay/neuter programs vaccinate to protect human health as well as to care for the welfare of the individual dog. But in areas where parvo, rabies and distemper are less common due to the impact of widespread vaccination programs, we might forget how critical this is. One blogger remembers the loss of the family dog to distemper when she was a child. She reports that distemper vaccine was only widely available in the 1960’s – and how thankful she is that they are inexpensive and easily accessible today.
