A puppy parvo survivor (Courtesy of Elanco / Austin Pets Alive!)

Austin Pets Alive! is joining Elanco Animal Health Inc., a manufacturer of medicines for pets and livestock, in the Defend Puppies, Defeat Parvo campaign to save dogs from canine parvovirus.

Together with other animal-loving organizations, veterinarians, and advocates, APA! will educate dog parents about parvo and encourage them to get their pets vaccinated.

Parvo is a highly contagious disease that is diagnosed in an estimated 900 dogs per day in the U.S. Puppies are especially susceptible and roughly 90% of them die without timely and aggressive care. Parvo is of particular concern in animal shelters, where many dogs are held close to one another. And yet, only four out of every 10 dog owners know what parvo is and understand the importance of vaccination, according to a study from Elanco.

In addition to the education campaign, Elanco is establishing a fund to offer up to $1 million in rebates from the company to veterinarians who purchase its canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody, an APA! spokesperson told us. Elanco said in a press release that their goal is to save 1 million puppies by 2030.