Low-cost Cook County rabies clinics available
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control's schedule of 40 low-cost rabies clinics will run from June 1 through October.
Clinic locations in the Northwest suburbs are Tuesday, June 23, at Jewel, 45 S. Plum Grove, Palatine; Wednesday, June 24, at Jack A Claes Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village; Wednesday, July 8, Morton Grove Community Center, 6140 Dempster, Morton Grove; Wednesday, July 22, Oak Leaf Commons; 1500 Lee St., Des Plaines;
Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Jewel 1340 Patriot Blvd., Glenview; Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Jewel, 1485 Palatine Road, Hoffman Estates; and Wednesday, Sept. 30, Highway Building Garage 34, Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. The clinics each run from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
The full list of clinics is at www.cookcountyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2015-Rabies-Clinic-ScheduleA.pdf. More than 4,000 pets are vaccinated annually at the clinics.
Cost of a one-year rabies shot is $7 for dogs and cats; a three-year rabies shot is $21. Ferret vaccines, which have a one-year duration, are $9. Only cash or checks are accepted. The rates represent a substantial discount to typical prices.
"The clinic addresses a serious public health issue," said Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the County's Animal and Rabies Control Department. "If your dog, cat or ferret is bitten by a rabid animal, this shot will prevent them from getting rabies and passing it on to other animals or to humans."
The department also has scheduled two clinics for microchip insertion at $10 per pet for July 16 and Aug. 13 at Cicero Community Park, 34th Court and Laramie, Cicero.
Alexander said that precautions will be in place this year due to the canine flu, which has affected almost 2,000 pets in the area.
Precautions include:
• An adult 18 years of age or older must handle animals. County Animal Control personnel will not be allowed to handle leashes, hold or move cages, assist in animal restraint, or touch animals or animal equipment.
• No retractable leashes will be allowed. All dogs must be on leashes of no longer than six feet. If pet requires a muzzle, they must be provided by owners.
• Pet owners must maintain a distance of three feet between each animal
• No animal socialization will be allowed.
• No petting of animals other than your own.
• Dogs showing signs of any respiratory disease will be isolated and will be prohibited from standing in line.
• Families with multiple animals should bring enough capable family members so that one individual can handle paperwork while another individual tends to the animals.
• Water and waste removal bags must be supplied by owner.
More information about rabies control is at www.cookcountyil.gov/animal-rabies-control-home/, or (708) 974-6140.