The Stone County Health Department (SCHD) encourages you to protect your health and the health of your family, your pets, and your community by getting your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations are the first line of protection against rabies for your pets.

SCHD is partnering with Dr. Kent’s Veterinary Clinic to offer rabies vaccination clinics on Saturday, Oct. 1^st at Crane City Park from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday, October 8^th at Stone County National Bank in Galena from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 15^th at the Cape Fair Community Building from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Dr. Kent and his staff will be administering rabies vaccinations to dogs and cats for $11.00 per vaccine.  Other vaccines for your pets will also be available upon request; however fees will differ for other vaccinations. These are walk-in clinics; do not call for an appointment.

SCHD works diligently to assess and monitor public health issues within Stone County in order to prevent diseases such as rabies and protect the health of you, your family, and your community.

Rabies is a virus that causes encephalitis, an infection that attacks the brain and nervous systems of animals and humans. Rabies is only spread through direct exposure to the virus that is present in the saliva of infected animals. This means that the animal’s saliva has to come into contact with you or your animal’s open wound, a cut, a scratch, or mucous membrane (mouth, eyes, and nose). Animals such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes or your unvaccinated dogs and cats can be carriers of the viral disease rabies. The SCHD wants you to be aware that you should NOT handle any dog, cat, or wild animal especially if it is acting with any agitation or any abnormal behavior. Teach your children to never handle wild animals even if they appear to be friendly.

If you are bitten by a dog, cat, or a wild animal, wash the bite wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately, then report the bite to the SCHD.  The health department will have specific instructions related to your situation.  The health department may also need to monitor your pet and will need to obtain more information about the animal that bit you. The State Public Health Lab tests the brain of the animal to determine if rabies is present. In order for the test to be accurate, the brain must be intact. Again, contact SCHD for instructions on testing procedures.

The rabies disease is a preventable and treatable disease; however, if left untreated it can be fatal. Protect yourself, your family, the community, and your pets from rabies by keeping your pet’s rabies vaccinations up-to-date. For more information about rabies, visit www.cdc.gov/rabies.

The Stone County Health Department encourages dog and cat owners to participate in the rabies vaccination clinics.  For more information about the vaccination clinic, visit our website at www.stonecountyhealthdepartment.com or call the Galena office at 357-6134.

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