Garland County rabies clinic vaccinates 1,297 domestic pets

Following a series of four free rabies vaccination clinics in Hot Springs and Garland County, a total of 1,297 area dogs and cats are now protected from contracting or transmitting the life-threatening disease.

Hot Springs Animal Services Director Dan Bugg today released statistics from the rabies clinics, following the fourth and final event held last Saturday at the Garland County Fairgrounds. Clinics were also held throughout June at Lake Hamilton, Cutter Morning Star and Fountain Lake schools.  A total of 968 pets of owners living in unincorporated areas of Garland County were vaccinated, while 329 pets of city owners received the vaccine. 

The clinics were made possible by a partnership between the Hot Springs Board of Directors and the Garland County Quorum Court.  The Quorum Court had budgeted up to $6,000 for the rabies clinics, while the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved a budget cap of $2,500.  Although the clinics were held free of charge, pet owners contributed a combined total of $4,394.69 in donations, leaving $4105.31 as the net total cost for the four clinics.

The actual cost per animal per rabies vaccination was calculated at $6.14, a figure very close to Bugg’s estimated cost of $6.  Costs included veterinarian expenses, personnel costs, water and ice, rabies certificates, syringes and the vaccine itself.  Veterinarians supplied the rabies tags, and volunteers augmented the paid staff.  Bugg organized and implemented the clinics.

“With an above-average number of rabies cases confirmed so far this year in Hot Springs and Garland County, these clinics have well served their purpose of helping protect the health and welfare of area pets, their owners and the general public,” Bugg said.  “We are very pleased with the strong public turnout and the high level of cooperation required to implement this joint effort.”  For information or to report a suspected rabies case, call Animal Services, 262-2091.