The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department encourages all pet owners to get their animals vaccinated against rabies. This year’s low-cost rabies clinics will offer 61 locations around Hamilton County from April 22-30. The price is $12 per pet. Rabies vaccinations are required by law for all dogs and cats.
“It is heartbreaking to see unvaccinated pets having to be euthanized due to exposure to rabid animals, especially because it is entirely preventable if the vaccination is given before exposure,” said Bonnie Deakins, Director of Environmental Services at the Health Department.
“Pet owners can either take their dogs and cats to a veterinarian for rabies shots, or to one of the special low-cost clinics. Vaccinating our pets protects them and protects us.”
Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. The usual mode of rabies transmission is by the introduction of saliva containing rabies virus into a bite wound. Any mammal, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, and cats, can get and transmit rabies. Cattle and humans can also get rabies. Thanks to widespread vaccination programs, the Health Department investigations last year revealed no cases of animal rabies.
In 2015, the total rabies vaccinations in Hamilton County for dogs and cats were 71,150, which is an increase of 2.9% since 2014 and a 14.8% increase since 2010.
The special rabies clinics are scheduled for the following dates. All clinics are from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.:
• Friday, April 22nd
• Saturday, April 23rd
• Wednesday, April 27th
• Thursday, April 28th (Special Cat Clinics)
• Friday, April 29th
• Saturday, April 30th
Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. It will protect their health, your health, and it’s the law. For more information about clinic locations, please call the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department at (423) 209-8110.
Partners this year include the Hamilton County Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Educational Society, East Ridge Animal Control, and the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.