The Carter County Health Department is partnering with local animal clinics to offer low-cost rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats during the month of May. Vaccinations will be provided at the following locations and times: May 7 at Pinecrest Veterinary Clinic parking lot from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m.; Cloudland Elementary from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Hunter Elementary and Elizabethton Veterinary Clinic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Hampton Elementary from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; May 21 at Elizabethton High School from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; and May 28 at Elizabethton High School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of a one-year vaccination is $10 for each dog and $10 for each cat. Tennessee law requires rabies vaccination for dogs and cats.
“Rabies is a threat to both pets and people in Tennessee, so it’s important all pet owners keep their dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccinations,” said Terry Goins, Regional Environmental Supervisor. “Rabies vaccinations protect us as well as our pets. Pets are more likely than people to come into contact with wild animals that may have rabies and could then spread the virus to people.”
Most cases of rabies reported in Tennessee occur in wild animals. In 2015 there were 33 cases of rabies reported across the State, with 24 of those cases among skunks. Vaccination programs are a major factor in preventing rabies in humans. The last human case of rabies occurred in 2002 when contact with a bat occurred but was not reported.
Rabies is transmitted in saliva through the bite of an infected mammal. Rabid animals are not always aggressive. Wildlife may carry the rabies virus without showing any recognizable signs of infection. Any animals that are acting strangely, such as nocturnal animals seen out in the daytime, must be regarded as sick and potentially rabid. If a wild or domestic animal seems sick or acts strangely, report it to your local animal control representative.
People can be exposed to rabies when attempting to help, feed, or handle wild animals, so it’s important to avoid touching any wild animal, especially common carriers such as bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. If you are bitten or come into contact with the saliva of an animal that may be sick or rabid, contact your health care provider.
For more information about the rabies vaccinations clinics, call the Carter County Health Department at 423-543-2521.