Low cost rabies clinics end Monday, May 12
County vets join forces to vaccinate almost 1,500 pets
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Cherokee County is winning its fight with rabies, said local vets. There have been no rabies cases reported in 2008 to the Department of Health.

Only one rabid skunk was located last year. In 2006, two bats and one skunk were found to have rabies. In 2005, 12 rapid skunks were reported; eight skunks, one bat and one bobcat were reported in 2004; and one bat and one skunk in 2003.

The annual rabies clinics are now underway and will continue through May 10. Clinics began May 3.

Last year 1,497 vaccines were administered to dogs and cats at the rabies clinics. The Cherokee Animal Clinic gave 604 shots, the most in the county. The two veterinaries there are Dr. Anthony Holcomb and Dr. Justin Novak; Dr. John Alexander, 431 vaccines, Dr. Ira Stephen, 403 shots and Dr. Dan Kessel, 59.

Clinic schedule includes:

Wednesday, May 7: 8 a.m. Cherokee Animal Clinic, Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Novak; 5:30 p.m. Dr. Stephens, Mount Selman old store; 6:30 p.m. Dr. Alexander, Mixon First Baptist Church

Thursday, May 8: 6 p.m. Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Novak, Maydelle First Baptist Church

Saturday, May 10: Dr. Kessel, 9 a.m.-noon Kessel Veterinary Clinic, Alto

Monday, May 12: 5:30 p.m. Dr. Stephens, Craft Baptist Church; 5:30 p.m. Dr. Alexander, Dialville store.

Canine vaccines are $8 for rabies; $30 for rabies, distemper and parvo; and $40 for rabies, distemper, parvo and kennel cough.

Feline vaccines are $8 for rabies; $30 for rabies and distemper and $40 for rabies, distemper and feline leukemia.