FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County and the Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society are sponsors for a walk-in rabies vaccination clinic.
The low-cost vaccinations are 8 a.m. to noon June 4 at one of five Northwest Florida veterinary clinics:
●Southside Veterinary Clinic, 821 Pearl St. S, Crestview
●Murphy Veterinary Hospital, 2387 Highway 98 W, Mary Esther
●Crossroads Animal Clinic, 601B Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach
●Friendship Veterinary Hospital, 623 Beal Pkwy NW, Fort Walton Beach
●Northside Veterinary Clinic, 18 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach
Cost is $10 each for dogs, casts and ferrets. Area residents do not need to be a client at any of the participating offices to get the vaccinations.
All animals must be on a leash or in a pet carrier at each office.
“A special thank you to Dr. Kelly Haeusler and the Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society for partnering with us for the event,” Dr. Karen Chapman, director of the DOH-Okaloosa, said.
“This is a community effort to bring pet owners into compliance with the law, while providing protection against a deadly disease that continues to cause public health concerns.”
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented—but not cured. The virus attacks the brain of warm-blooded animals, including people. Even if you consider your dog, cat, or ferret to be an indoor pet, it is important that your pet receives a rabies vaccination.
In 2015, DOH-Okaloosa investigated 1,000 domestic animal (dogs or cats) bites or scratches to other domestic animals or humans.
Of those investigated, approximately 50 percent were current on their rabies vaccination. The only acceptable proof of vaccination for an animal bite investigation is documentation of the vaccination from a licensed veterinarian.
For more information on this clinic, visit http://www.HealthyOkaloosa.com or call 689-7859.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County, veterinary society plan low-cost June 4 rabies clinic