Our Vaccine and Microchip Clinic offers Fairfax County residents core vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine, DHPPi (canine distemper) vaccine and FVRCP (feline distemper) vaccine, as well as microchips and dog licenses.
If you have any questions about Vaccine and Microchip Clinics, vaccines offered at the clinics or microchipping your pet, please email our Pet Resource Center.
Rabies Vaccine Information
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires pets to receive a rabies vaccination before four months (16 weeks) of age. The minimum age for a rabies vaccine is three months (12 weeks), and animals are not considered immunized for at least 28 days following vaccination.
Your pets’ vaccination schedule will vary based on their age and vaccination history.
| Age | Recommended Vaccination Schedule |
| 12 weeks to one year or no proof of vaccination | One rabies vaccine with a duration of one year |
| Over 1 year old and proof of previous rabies vaccine | One rabies vaccine every three years |
DHPPi (Canine Distemper) Vaccine Information
The DHPPi vaccine, also known as canine distemper, is a core vaccination that provides dogs immunization against several serious viruses, including Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus Types 1 and 2, Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Canine Parvovirus.
Your pets’ vaccination schedule will vary based on their age and vaccination history.
| Age | Recommended Vaccination Schedule |
| Six to 20 weeks | Distemper vaccine every three to four weeks until 20 weeks of age |
| 20 weeks to one year old | Three distemper vaccines, three to four weeks apart |
| Over one year old and never vaccinated (or no vaccination documentation) | Two distemper vaccines, three to four weeks apart |
| Over one year old and documentation of previous vaccine series |
One distemper vaccine every three years |
FVRCP (Feline Distemper) Vaccine Information
The FVRCP vaccine, also known as feline distemper, is a core vaccination that provides cats immunization against several serious viruses, including Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia.
Your pets’ vaccination schedule will vary based on their age and vaccination history.
| Age | Recommended Vaccination Schedule |
| Six to 20 weeks | Distemper vaccine every three to four weeks until 20 weeks of age |
| 20 weeks to one year old | Three distemper vaccines, three to four weeks apart |
| Over one year old and never vaccinated (or no vaccination documentation) | Two distemper vaccines, three to four weeks apart |
| Over one year old and documentation of previous vaccine series |
One distemper vaccine every three years |
Microchip Information
Microchips are an important tool in reuniting lost pets with their families and are one of the first things we check for when a stray pet comes through our shelter doors!
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and contain a unique ID number that can be obtained by scanning a pet with a specialized tool.
When a microchip is registered and the unique ID number is searched, the pet guardian’s information will be displayed. Microchips that have not been registered will not have any information attached to the unique ID number.
When your pet receives a microchip at our Vaccine and Microchip Clinic, your microchip will be registered within five business days of implantation at no cost to you. You will then receive an email from 24Petprotect to create an account and complete the registration.