Attendance Down At Annual Town Anti-Rabies Clinic

 By Andrew Gorosko

It may have been the threatening weather, or it may have been the rising cost of the “low-cost” rabies vaccinations, or it may have been a combination of the two.

But for whatever reason, the town’s annual rabies clinic for cats and dogs held Saturday, May 21, at the gymnasium in Edmond Town Hall drew fewer pets than anticipated, according to Town Clerk Cynthia Simon.

Rabies is a virulent viral disease of the nervous system, which is fatal if its victims are unprotected by rabies vaccinations.

Now in its 20th year, the lowest number of pets ever received vaccinations at the town’s annual rabies clinic, said Ms Simon.

Seventy-one animals received the vaccinations, including 46 cats and 25 dogs, she said. State law requires all pet cats and dogs to vaccinated against rabies.

The town clerk’s office issued 24 dog licenses on May 21. Cats do not require licenses.

Over the years, the low-cost rabies clinic has made it simpler for residents to obtain the shots for their pets than visiting a veterinarian in private practice.

But Ms Simon noted that the cost of the “low cost” rabies shots has been increasing over the years. The cost for a rabies vaccination was $15 at the clinic. In the past, when the clinic started, the cost for rabies shots was less than half of that.

For example, in 2004, the cost for a rabies inoculation was $12.

Ms Simon noted that the attendance at the May 21 rabies clinic showed a sharp drop compared to attendance during the past several years.

On May 21, 71 animals were inoculated, compared to 134 animals in 2004; 118 animals in 2003, 100 pets in 2002; 182 animals in 2001, and 120 pets in 2000.

The highest number of animals ever inoculated at a town low-cost rabies clinic was 669 pets in 1991, Ms Simon said.

Veterinarians who work at the clinic donate their time for the project intended to protect the public health.