Lavonia Shelter Rabies and Vaccine Clinic Set for Saturday

Just a reminder that if it’s time to get your pet vaccinated against rabies, the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia is again offering a spring rabies clinic Saturday at their shelter on Bear Creek Road.

This year’s rabies clinic will be held from 10a to 3p.

Shelter Director Tammie Jourdenais tells WNEG News rabies vaccines will be available for dogs, cats, and horses, along with low-cost distemper vaccines.

Rabies vaccines for dogs and cats will be $5 each for a one-year vaccine, $10 for a 3-year. Horse vaccines will be $15 each.

Franklin County Environmental Health Director Louis Korff wants to dispel some myths regarding why a rabies vaccine is not necessary.

One of them he says has to do with small indoor dogs.

“I have heard this from a couple of different people: ‘Oh I don’t have to get my dogs vaccinated because they’re indoor dogs,’” Korff said. “Well, we recently had a case where someone let their dogs out at night to do their business and they got tangled up with a raccoon. Said raccoon was put down, tested and was positive (for rabies). So, the moral of the story is every single dog, cat, ferret or large animal should be vaccinated against rabies. It will save you a lot of heartache and misery.”

Another myth according to Korff is that dogs in covered dog lots are safe from rabid wildlife.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth,” Korff explained. “Remember, when that animal gets to the point where it’s spreading the disease, the rabies virus has gotten to its brain and all it wants to do is fight and bite. I had a case where a skunk got itself through he openings in a standard chainlink fence. I’ve had cases where raccoons got over a six-foot kennel fence that was covered and it didn’t phase them. So, the only true way to protect your animal is by vaccinations.”

You do not have to be a resident of Franklin County to take advantage of the rabies clinic.

The Shelter staff asks that all dogs be on leashes and all cats be in carriers.

If you need more information about the rabies clinic Saturday you can call the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter at 706-356-5363.