Rabies vaccinations scheduled across county

Rabies vaccination clinics for cats and dogs are scheduled this month in the following locations:

Saturday, May 17

* 8-9 a.m. at Newbern Co-op;

* 9:15-9:45 a.m. at Lock's Grocery in Millsfield;

* 10-10:30 a.m. at Countryside Grocery, Hwy. 78 in Nauvoo;

* 10:45-11:30 a.m. at Finley School.

Saturday, May 24

* 8-8:45 a.m. at RoEllen Church of Christ;

* 9-9:30 a.m. at Tatumville Fire Department;

* 9:45-10:15 a.m. at Lemalsamac Church of Christ in Churchton;

* 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Dyersburg Fairgrounds.

Saturday, May 31

* 8-11 a.m. at the Dyer County Animal Hospital.

Rabies is a deadly virus that is transmitted by bites from infected animals, such as bats, dogs, raccoons, skunks and horses. Left untreated, rabies is nearly always fatal. No treatment exists for unvaccinated pets that have been exposed to the rabies virus.

The vaccination clinics -- sponsored by the Dyer County Animal Hospital, the Dyer County Health Department and the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society -- offer inexpensive rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs.

Families may bring their pets to one of the clinic sites and get a rabies vaccination for $5. Dog owners also are charged the $2 county registration fee for dogs.

The Tennessee Anti-Rabies Law requires all persons to vaccinate their cats and dogs against rabies after the dog reaches 3 months old and the cat reaches 6 months old.