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Cook County offering low-cost rabies clinics

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control will hold more than 30 clinics throughout the suburbs and Chicago to provide low-cost rabies vaccines to residents' pets.

The rabies shot is the only vaccine that will be provided at these clinics. Cost of a one-year rabies shot is $7 for dogs and cats. A three-year rabies shot is $21. Ferret vaccines, which last one-year, are $9. Only cash or checks are accepted; no credit or debit cards.

Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the County's Animal and Rabies Control Department, emphasized the importance of ensuring that dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on their rabies immunization.

"The clinic addresses a serious public health issue," she said. "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 program began in 2006 and in its first year vaccinated 1,802 animals. In 2015, the County vaccinated 5,344 animals. The total number of animals vaccinated by the County at the low-cost clinics since its inception is 36,361.

Dates of clinics planned for the Northwest suburbs are June 28 in Palatine; June 29 in Elk Grove Village; July 27 in Des Plaines; and Sept. 28 and Oct. 4 in Hoffman Estates.

For exact times and locations, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/animal-rabies-control-home/.

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