Columbus Animal Protective Services will hold two free rabies clinics in the coming weeks.
County Commissioners in Monday unanimously approved a request from APS to offer the vaccinations for free. Normally they are $10 at the Animal Shelter or at other events.
Capt. Robert Creech of the sheriff’s office said the free clinics are built into the budget each year. Columbus County Animal Protective Services offers on demand rabies vaccinations at the shelter for $10.
“We want to be able to reach out to as many petowners as possible,” he said.
The clinics will be held April 18 at Gurganus Farm Store in Whiteville and May 29 at Brown’s Outdoor Supply in Delco.
During last year’s clinics, more than 400 pets were vaccinated at the two clinics.
Rabies is always fatal, and is spread through saliva through bites and scratches from an infected animal
The disease affects the nervous system, and can causes listlessness, aggression, and atypical behavior. Bats, raccoons, and foxes are the primary rabies vectors in North Carolina, although any mammal can contract and carry the disease. It can take up to six months before symptoms present themselves in a sick animal.
It can be prevented in more than 99 percent of cases through vaccinations. State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets over three months of age to be vaccinated, and proof of vaccination kept by the owner.
