Rabies vaccination clinics announced
The Imperial County Public Health Department’s Animal Control Office has announced that its low-cost rabies vaccination clinics will take place starting this Saturday in Holtville and elsewhere throughout the county through Feb. 25.
Although rabies among domestic animals in Imperial County is rare, the area is high-risk due to the presence of rabies among wild bats and skunks, the ICPHD reported.
The rabies vaccine protects dogs and cats from the rabies virus, and revaccination is recommended as soon as possible for pets that may come in contact with a wild skunk or bat.
In Imperial County, it is mandatory that all dogs over four months of age be vaccinated against rabies and licensed each year.
The Animal Control Office has been conducting rabies vaccination clinics locally for over 47 years, with more than 2,000 dogs vaccinated and licensed at local clinics last year, an ICPHD press release stated.
This Saturday’s clinic will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Verde School in Holtville, located at Bonds Corner and Verde School roads.
The fee for the rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is $8. County dog licenses will also be provided for a fee of $10 for male, $5 for a neutered male, $10 for a female and $5 for a spayed female.
Clinics will be held in various locations of the county including Desert Shores, Salton City, Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde and Winterhaven. No appointment is necessary to attend the clinics.
To download the schedule, please visit the county Public Health Department’s website at www.icphd.org
The rabies vaccine and county licenses are also available from local veterinarians.
Individuals looking for the county licenses only can visit Imperial County Animal Control located at 1329 S. Sperber Road, El Centro from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
For general information about the rabies vaccination clinics, please contact Imperial County Animal Control at 442265-2655, or email beatricepalacio@co.imperial.ca.us
To protect their pets from rabies, owners are encouraged to visit their veterinarian with their pet on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations upto-date for all cats and dogs; pet owners should maintain control of their pets by keeping cats indoors and dogs under direct supervision; pets should be spayed or neutered to help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted animals; the public can contact their local Animal Control to report any stray and wild animals from their neighborhood as these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.