Franklin Co. Health Department Sets Rabies Clinic Date

Saturday’s rabies clinic at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter was big success, not only for the shelter, but for pets.

Cars were lined up Saturday from the start of the clinic at 10a at the shelter on Bear Creek Road in Lavonia and Shelter Director Sheri Lockhart said the staff and Dr. Pam Stone, DVM stayed busy giving vaccinations until just after 3p.

“We did 300 vaccinations Saturday, most were for rabies, but we also gave regular annual vaccinations for cats and dogs to those owners who requested them,”  Lockhart said.

Lockhart said the event was the best rabies clinic at the shelter yet.

If you missed the chance to have your dogs or cats vaccinated for rabies Saturday you will have another chance at the low cost vaccinations next month.

On Monday, Franklin County Health Department’s Environmental Health Director Louis Korff announced a countywide rabies clinic will take place May 18^th at 10 locations.

Korff says all three veterinarians in Franklin County will be conducting the rabies clinic at the same low price of $5.

“Our dedicated local veterinarians will once again give of their time and efforts,” Korff said. “I want to say again that if you go to any of the rabies clinic in surrounding counties, you will find that our price for rabies vaccines are lower than anyone else’s.  Our vets have purposely kept the price lower. They are absorbing the cost themselves and putting in the labor in order to give back to the community.”

2011 was one of the worst years for cases of rabies in Franklin County, according to Korff.  He said, however, 2012 saw a decline in the number of confirmed rabies cases.

“I would say 2012 would be my lowest year for wild carnivore samples,” Korff said. “I have, in years past, sent off over 20 skunks alone (to be tested) and in 2012 I only sent off seven, which is way down from years past.”

Korff said in addition to the skunks, he sent off one raccoon, two fox, and five bats to be tested for rabies. All of the skunks, the raccoon, and one bat tested positive for rabies.

Seven cats reportedly bit their owners last year, but Korff said they were all euthanized by their owners at local veterinarians before they could be tested for rabies.

Korff said only person who was bitten by a wild animal last year had to undergo the series of rabies post-exposure vaccines.

For 2013 so far, Korff said he’s had six specimens, three skunks, two raccoons and one dog.  Of that, he said all tested positive for rabies.

In addition to the nine usual vaccination sites around the county, Korff said another one will be added next month.

“Dr. Cato’s office is adding one site, Deason’s Farm and Garden at 30 Railroad Street in Royston.  It is very close to the residential district,” Korff said Monday.

The times and locations for the May 18^th rabies clinic will be posted on our Web site in the coming weeks or you can call the Franklin County Health Department at 706-384-5576.