Bartow County 4-H Rabies Clinic scheduled for April 25
The Bartow County 4-H Club in cooperation with Dr. Tally of the Pet Vet Clinic is offering a rabies clinic at a
reduced cost to Bartow County residents on Saturday, April 25.
The clinic is a community service project and fundraiser for the Bartow County 4-H Club, which helps fund 4-H
programing and Dr. Tally’s Animal Angel Tree program, which helps fund emergency animal operations for existing
clients.
There will be one clinic with Dr. Tally from 9:00am to 11:00 a.m. at Cartersville First Baptist Church located at
241 Douthit Ferry Rd., Cartersville, GA 30120. Pet owners are urged to keep their animal on a leash inside their vehicle
for safety reasons. All owners will be required to hold their animal for the veterinarian at each location.
Because there will be only 300 to 400 vaccinations available, the clinic will be on a first-come, first-served basis
and each vaccination will cost $10, cash only. The clinic is open to all cats and dogs three months and older that are not
pregnant. The rabies vaccination is required by state law because it is one of the few illnesses contractible from household
pets to humans. In Bartow, the vaccinations are required every year.
Rabies is a virus carried by animals, primarily raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats, which can be transmitted by
saliva or brain tissue. Humans can be infected when saliva or brain tissue of a rabid animal gets in the mouth, eyes or
blood -- typically, rabies is spread through an animal bite or scratch.
Dogs, cats and livestock also can contract rabies. A rabid animal may act tame or show signs of aggression. An
infected animal also may display strange behavior, such as avoiding water, foaming at the mouth or having difficulty
moving. It is advised to stay away from all stray or wild animals.
If bitten by a rabid animal, treatment must begin soon after to prevent infection. If left untreated, rabies is 100
percent fatal. Residents are asked to report any suspicious animal to the environmental health office of the Bartow County
Health Department at 770-387-2614 or Bartow County Animal Control at 770-387-5153. If a pet is bitten by another
animal suspected of carrying rabies, call the Bartow County authorities, a veterinarian or the Georgia Poison Center 24/7
at 800-282-5846.
The Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health offers suggestions for protecting family and friends:
* Make sure pets get their rabies shots regularly.
* Keep pets in the yard, on a leash or in the home at all times.
* Do not leave garbage or pet food outside. Food left outside may attract wild or stray animals.
* Stay away from wild, sick, hurt or dead animals. Do not pick up or move sick or hurt animals. If a wild, sick or hurt
animal is found, call Bartow County Animal Control.
* Do not keep wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes or wolves as pets. It is dangerous and illegal.
The Bartow County 4-H Club is pleased to be able to offer this valuable service to residents. The focus of all 4-H
programs is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens through “hands-on”
learning experiences. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with
opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth and appreciation for the environment. 4-H is part of the University of
Georgia’s Cooperative Extension in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. To obtain more information
about the Bartow County 4-H Club, contact Allison Perkins at the UGA Cooperative Extension Service at 770-387-5142.