September 21, 2010 - September 28, 2010 is World Rabies Day. On the preceding Saturday, Sept. 25, pet owners may have their dogs and cats vaccinated for rabies at no cost at various locations in Placer, Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
The Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association is sponsoring the event, purchasing the vaccine and immunizing the animals, and hopes to make the Guinness Book of World Records by vaccinating more than 3,300 pets in the region in a single day.
The Placer County Animal Shelter in Auburn, located at 11251 B Avenue, is hosting one of the free clinics, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 25 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To keep pets secure, cats should be in carriers, and dogs should be on leashes.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by bites from infected mammals. Skunks and bats are the wild animals that are most likely to be infected with rabies in this region. However, all mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies.
Unvaccinated dogs and cats can be infected with rabies by interacting with a rabid wild animal, and pet owners may never know about it.
“A dog or cat that became infected would greatly increase the chances that a person could become infected,” said Dr. Mark Starr, Director of Community Health, Clinics and Animal Services for Placer County. “Getting rabies immunizations for dogs and cats is a vitally important way to protect your family as well as your pet.”
Dogs should be vaccinated at four months of age, one year later, and then every three years thereafter; cats have the same schedule except they start at three months of age.
The Placer County Animal Shelter is located in the Placer County Government Center (formerly called “DeWitt”), and is near the corner of Richardson and B Avenue, off Bell Road, about a mile from Highway 49 in Auburn.
Placer County Animal Shelter will also be open for business as usual on Saturday, and has many wonderful animals available for adoption. During the month of September, Placer County Animal Services, Placer SPCA and A New Hope Animal Foundation have collaborated to encourage the adoption of homeless cats and dogs housed at the Placer County Animal shelters. These non-profit organizations are offering rebates on various cats and dogs adopted from the Placer County shelters, ranging from $50 for a black kitten to full adoption costs for some animals.
Safety First, a community-based program to help teach safety around dogs and responsible pet ownership, will also be on hand at the Placer County Animal Shelter to provide information and help dog owners with management concerns. Face painting will be available for children attending the event.
For more information about the rabies clinic, adoption cost-sharing, or the free-to-good homes adoption program, contact the Placer County Animal Shelter, 530-886-5540 or 5541.
The rabies vaccine clinics on Saturday are part of a collaborative effort with the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association, veterinarians and local agencies in the region, who are working together to vaccinate more than 3,300 pets in recognition of World Rabies Day. To view other locations where free vaccine is available, visit SVVMA or email kristi@svvma.com.
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