In association with Rabies Awareness Week, the Rock County Public Health Department, Friends of Noah and local veterinarians are sponsoring a low fee rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs at the Rock County Fairgrounds on Saturday September 16th from 1 to 4 pm. People with unvaccinated cats and dogs are invited to attend. The fee is $10 cash only. Dogs must be on leashes and cats confined to carriers. A limited number of leashes and carriers will be available. Animal owners are responsible for keeping their pets under control. Vaccinations are good for one year. If an owner can provide proper documentation of a prior rabies vaccination, their dog or cat can receive a three year vaccination. Animal health care will be limited to the rabies vaccination.
The rabies clinic augments good pet care. Every pet owner should have a relationship with a veterinarian to provide basic health care for their pet. If owners are currently working with a local veterinarian for the pet care, they are encouraged to continue that relationship for rabies vaccination and other animal health care.
“Rabies can threaten all members of the family, including pets,” said veterinarian Dr. Steven Servantez. “When untreated, rabies in humans is almost always fatal. However, it is also 100% preventable. This underscores the critical need for community members to take the appropriate steps to prevent and control rabies.”
It is estimated that every year in Rock county approximately 400 people are bitten by animals and require attention from health care providers and follow up by the Rock County Public Health Department to verify the risk of rabies exposure. In 2016, at least 46 people in Rock County were referred to their health care provider for rabies vaccination resulting from animal bites. Since 2000, three (3) people have died of rabies in Wisconsin.
Although the majority of rabies cases occur in wildlife, most humans are exposed to the virus as a result of an encounter with an infected domestic animal. Keeping pets, including cats and dogs, up-to-date on vaccinations, is a primary means of helping to prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals.
“For many people, pets are cherished and loved members of the family,” said Sandra Kraft, Friends of Noah. “Speaking with a veterinarian about keeping current with vaccination not only helps to make sure they are free from rabies, but also reduces the risk of exposure for all family members.”
Additional information on the rabies vaccination clinic is available from Friends of Noah online at www.friendsofnoah-wi.org. For more information on rabies, go to the Rock County Public Health Department web page at www.co.rock.wi.us/health-rabies. For questions about the low cost rabies clinic please call 608-757-5441.
