Hastings families with furry companions have a reason to mark their calendars. On Monday, November 3, the Animal Humane Society is teaming up with Hastings Family Service to bring a free vaccine clinic to town, and the goal is simple, help pet families keep their animals healthy and safe, regardless of financial circumstances.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at Hastings Family Service, starting with a private session for foster families coordinated directly with Dakota County. As explained by Michaela Baltasar-Feyen, Director of Community Engagement for the Animal Humane Society, “By foster families, I mean, human foster families that are with foster children, not animal foster families.” That first hour to hour and a half will focus on ensuring these families’ pets are up to date on vaccinations, a requirement for housing foster children.
After that, the clinic opens to the public and will run until 4 p.m., with the last appointments expected to wrap up around 3:45. Services are completely free and include core vaccines for both cats and dogs, along with flea and tick preventatives to take home. For pet owners looking to plan ahead, there is an option to pre-register online, though walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis if space allows. The registration information is available at www.animalhumanesociety.org.
While the medical services are the main draw, this clinic is more than just shots and syringes. The Animal Humane Society is one of the few animal welfare organizations with a licensed social worker on staff, and she’ll be attending the event as well. Her role? To help families connect with broader resources, housing assistance, domestic violence support, low-cost spay and neuter referrals, and more.
“We are trying to consider the whole family, so pets and the people who love them,” Baltasar-Feyen said. “How can we work together and combine our areas of expertise to support the entire family unit?” That mission fits neatly with the goals of Hastings Family Service, making the partnership a natural one. Both organizations see the importance of keeping people and pets together, especially when times are tough.
As Baltasar-Feyen put it, “Times are tough right now. We just want to help pet families take care of their pets. I know people care so much about their pets, and we believe pets are part of the family.”
The event may also feature a limited supply of pet food and other essential items for attendees to take home if needed. And while this is the first clinic of its kind in Hastings hosted by the Animal Humane Society, the team is excited to get to know the community.
“Our vets are really excited. This will be our first event like this in Hastings, and we can’t wait,” she said. Look for signs around the building to help direct traffic to the right location, whether the event ends up indoors or outside near the back of Hastings Family Service. Either way, the goal remains the same, to serve families, both two-legged and four.
Pet owners looking for more information can expect flyers and signage closer to the date, but should be ready for a straightforward experience, free vaccinations, friendly staff, and a few extra surprises that go beyond vet care. The clinic is one-part medical outreach, one part community resource fair, and all heart. For those whose pets are already up to date on vaccines, the Animal Humane Society still encourages checking out their website for additional resources on everything from training tips to diet advice. Because even when pets are healthy, there’s always more to learn about caring for them.
As the conversation wrapped up, one sentiment stood out clearly, this event is about more than preventing illness. It's about supporting wellness, connection, and dignity for the whole family, pets included.