VCA Animal Hospitals to Support Local Shelters and Rescue Organizations by Providing Free Healthy Start Exams for Adoptive Pet Parents LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VCA Animal Hospitals (VCA) are ensuring that pets adopted from Bay Area shelter and rescue organizations get off to a healthy start. As a proud sponsor of this year's Bay Area Pet Expo, VCA along with veterinarians and staff from 16 local VCA Animal Hospital locations will offer attendees who adopt a shelter pet a complimentary first exam, and provide on-site consultations, expert advice and more to all pet-lovers at the event. The Bay Area Pet Expo returns to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Exposition Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 10AM - 6PM. The VCA booth will be located in the Exposition Hall's Mega Adoption Area for Dogs. General admission is free to the public. "Local shelters do great work to find permanent homes for homeless animals," said VCA Regional Operations Manager Barbara Morrell. We want to assist them by providing exceptional healthcare for the pets they place within their communities. Attendees who adopt a local shelter pet will receive a new pet parent gift bag from VCA, which includes a healthy start certificate for a complimentary first exam. During the initial visit, a VCA veterinarian will evaluate and consult on the pet's overall health by checking the heart and other vital organs, as well as examine for fleas, ticks and other external parasites. All pet parents and pet enthusiasts who attend the Amazing Pet Expo will have the opportunity to benefit from the exceptional healthcare provided by the VCA Animal Hospitals' teams. Veterinarians and staff will be on-site to provide information on pet healthy start and wellness, nutrition, parasite prevention, first-aid, as well as answer general pet healthcare related questions. Attendees will also receive a complimentary goodie bag and have the opportunity to enter a prize giveaway. VCA operates more than 540 animal hospitals in 41 states across the nation in the VCA network. These hospitals are staffed by more than 1,800 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians to give your pet the very best in medical care. Over 200 are board-certified specialists. VCA provides a full range of general medical and surgical services as well as specialized treatments. For more information on VCA Animal Hospitals, please visit VCAhospitals.com SOURCE VCA Animal Hospitals