March 20, 2007

In an effort to offer clinics at convenient times, the Catawba County Animal Care and Control Office will hold two Saturday clinics, on April 14 and April 28, from 10 a.m. until 12 Noon at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. Other clinics will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday, April 3 through Thursday, April 26. Vaccinations will cost $7 each again this year.

"North Carolina law states that, in all counties where a campaign of vaccination such as our April clinics is being conducted, it is the duty of the owner of every dog and cat over four months of age to have them vaccinated for rabies every three years," said Joaine McKeel, Catawba County's Animal Services Manager. "Pet owners face a $25 fine if they do not have pets vaccinated and place tags showing proof of the vaccination on the pet’s collar or chain. The law also says that all rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or a certified rabies vaccinator. Our clinics will be administered by a team of eleven veterinarians practicing across the county."

Rabies vaccination clinics took on a greater importance in February 1999, when Catawba County had its first confirmed case of rabies in more than 43 years. We have seen an increase in cases in wild animals in recent months, with twelve confirmed cases reported from November 2, 2006 through March 14, 2007. Many of our citizens realize that the best way to protect pets from rabies is to make sure they are properly immunized,” McKeel added.

Rabies is a very dangerous disease that infects only mammals and is spread by infected animals through bites or scratches. While it is mainly carried by wild animals, any pets that aren’t vaccinated are at great risk should they come in contact with an infected animal. Rabies is a virus which attacks the central nervous system and, if left untreated, it is always fatal. That's why it’s so important for pet owners across Catawba County to take advantage of these annual rabies vaccination clinics.

Pet owners should bring proof of when his or her pet last got a rabies shot to the clinic of their choice, or the pet will receive a one-year booster shot.

"This year’s schedule of clinics will bring at least one clinic close to every citizen in the county and the two Saturday clinics will be centrally at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds off Highway 70 between Hickory and Conover," McKeel said.

The following is the schedule for the clinics:

Tuesday, April 3, 5:30 PM-       Bandys High School                                  Dr. Whitener

Wednesday, April 4, 5:30 PM-   Banoak Elementary School                         Dr. Hill

Thursday, April 5, 5:30 PM-      Catawba County Government Center           Dr. Whitener
                                           parking lot

Tuesday, April 10, 5:30 PM-     Maiden Town Hall                                     Dr. Mitchell

Wednesday, April 11, 5:30 PM- St. Stephens Elementary School                 Dr. Pope

Thursday, April 12, 5:30 PM-    Catawba County Government Center           Conover area vet
                                          parking lot

Saturday, April 14, 10 am-Noon Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds  Dr. Bumbarger

Tuesday, April 17, 5:30 PM-     Royal Chapel Church                                 Dr. Robinson

Wednesday, April 18, 5:30 PM- Catawba County Government Center           Dr. Carlton
                                          parking lot

Thursday, April 19, 5:30 PM-    Catawba County Government Center           Dr. Simmons
                                          parking lot

Thursday, April 19, 5:30 PM-    Sherrills Ford Branch Library, Sherrills Ford    Dr. Bumbarger

Tuesday, April 24, 5:30 PM-     Clyde Campbell Elementary School              Dr. Peeples

Wednesday, April 25, 5:30 PM- Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds           Dr. Robinson

Thursday, April 26, 5:30 PM-    Catawba County Government Center          Dr. Boston
                                          parking lot

Saturday, April 28, 10 am-Noon Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds Conover area vet

A brochure is available which also lists the clinic schedule and other details. You may request a copy, or specific information about the clinics, by calling the Catawba County Animal Shelter at 828-464-7686.