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Clinics will be held November 2, 2019 through February 23, 2020.
IMPERIAL COUNTY.- The Imperial County Public Health Department’s Animal Control office has announced the schedule for the upcoming low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics for 2019-2020. Imperial County Animal Control has been conducting Rabies Vaccination Clinics in Imperial County for over forty-nine years. The clinics are scheduled from November 2, 2019, through February 23, 2020, at various locations throughout Imperial County. Last year, over 2,000 county dogs were vaccinated and licensed at clinics offered by Imperial County Animal Control.
The rabies vaccine protects dogs and cats from the rabies virus. Although rabies among domestic animals in Imperial County is rare, the area is considered high-risk due to the presence of rabies among wild bats and skunks. Even if a dog or cat has been vaccinated, if they come in contact with a wild skunk or bat, the recommendation is for the animal to be revaccinated as soon as possible. In Imperial County, it is mandatory that all dogs over 4 months of age be vaccinated against rabies and licensed each year. The license is good through the date of issuance.
It is strongly recommended, although not mandatory, that all cats over 4 months of age also be vaccinated against rabies on a yearly basis. The fee for the Rabies Vaccine for dogs and cats is $10.00. County Dog Licenses will also be provided for a fee of $10.00 for male, $5.00 for a neutered male, $10.00 for a female and $5.00 for a spayed female. Clinics will be held in various locations of the county including Desert Shores, Salton City, Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde and Winterhaven. No appointment is necessary to attend the clinics.
According to Beatrice Palacio, Animal Control Supervisor for the Imperial County Public Health Department, “the Department’s yearly Rabies Vaccination Clinics are held for the public’s convenience. Animal Control staff offers the clinics in remote areas throughout the county so the public can have access to the vaccine at a low cost.”
The rabies vaccine and county licenses are also available with local veterinarians and county licenses only are available at Imperial County Animal Control located at 1329 South Sperber Road, El Centro from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays.
Individuals can also do the following to protect their pets from rabies:
- Visit their veterinarian with their pet on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all cats and dogs.
- Maintain control of their pets by keeping cats indoors and keeping dogs under direct supervision.
- Pets should be spayed or neutered to help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets.
The public can contact Animal Control to report any stray and wild animals from their neighborhood as these animals may be unvaccinated or ill. For general information about the Rabies Vaccination Clinics, please contact Imperial County Animal Control at (442) 265-2655, or email: beatricepalacio@co.imperial.ca.us or visit the Department’s website at icphd.org
