Beaubien Woods Event Kick-off by President Preckwinkle

President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday kicked off the start of Cook County’s annual Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinics at the VFW Hall in Berwyn. The clinic is one of 37 low-cost, mobile clinics the Department of Animal and Rabies Control will host from June through October at various locations throughout the county. “Rabies outbreaks have caused public health concerns in four states over the past two years, and we’re making sure that doesn’t happen in Cook County,” President Preckwinkle said. “The purpose of these mobile clinics is to make rabies shots easily accessible and affordable so owners can protect their pets and comply with state law requiring shots and microchips. The end result is a positive one—we provide public health protection against this deadly disease.”Pets received a one-year vaccine for only $7 or a three-year vaccine for $21. Microchips cost $10 for dogs and cats and $9 for ferrets. These rates are offered at a fraction of the cost charged by private practitioners. “Since 2006, we’ve vaccinated more than 12,000 animals against rabies,” said Donna Alexander, V.M.D., director of the Department of Animal and Rabies Control. “The clinics address a serious public safety issue. If your dog or cat is bitten by another animal that has rabies, the shot will prevent them from getting rabies and passing it on to other animals or humans. And microchips will significantly increase the chances your pet will be returned home safely, if it is ever lost or stolen.”The day also included a Prescription Drug Take-back program and an information booth hosted by the Cook County Veterans Affairs Commission. The next clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Our Lady of Loredo, 8925 S. Kostner Ave., Hometown. For a full schedule of the 2012 clinics, visit the county website. Pet owners at Cook County’s Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinic on Tuesday at the VFW Hall in Berwyn. From: Mary Paleologos, Bureau of Administration