Staff from the Gaston County Health Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line Saturday morning, April 14. The event is sponsored by the Gaston Humane Society.
North Carolina law requires vaccinations to prevent rabies for all dogs or cats over 4 months of age.
Vaccines will be administered from 9 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out. The event will be held in the main parking lot of the Health Department, 991 W. Hudson Blvd. Only one-year vaccinations will be provided; no three-year vaccine will be available.
As an added convenience, Animal Control personnel and volunteers will be on-site to complete the paperwork for owners to receive a license tag for pets vaccinated that day. One-year licenses cost $10 with proof of pet’s spay/neuter (letter from vet or receipt that surgery was performed) or $35 for non-spayed/neutered pets, payable by cash or check. License tags do not have to be purchased that day, but must be purchased from Animal Control within three business days to avoid late fees. Mail-in forms will be available for those who wish to pay later.
Pets from Animal Control will also be available for adoption that day. Adoptions cost $90 for dogs and $75 for cats, which includes an exam, first round of vaccinations and spay/neuter.
“The reality is Gaston County has rabies”, said Animal Control Administrator Reggie Horton.
“Preventing rabies can help you avoid many painful and expensive problems resulting from a rabies exposure.”
“Be sure to vaccinate your pets,” said Horton. “Even with inside pets, exposure can happen in an instant, and if the pet isn’t vaccinated, you’re likely going to lose that pet or face a huge quarantine bill. Staying current on your pet’s rabies vaccine protects them, it protects the community, and it can prevent a lot of heartache.”
North Carolina law requires that any unvaccinated pet bitten by an animal with an unknown rabies status must be quarantined for six months at the owner’s expense, or euthanized.
The drive-through rabies vaccine event is in conjunction with Gaston County’s spring rabies clinic, a two-week period when veterinarians around the county are offering rabies vaccines at a reduced rate of $8 per vaccine. Call your veterinarian’s office to find out if they are participating and how to take advantage of this offer. These prices are valid from April 14-27 at participating offices; other veterinary office fees may apply.
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