Animal Friends Hosts Low-Cost Rabies Clinics
Thursday, May 28, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:       
Jolene Miklas                         
Director of Communications                   
412.847.7043                             
jmiklas@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org             

Animal Friends reminds all pet owners that rabies is a serious yet preventable disease.  In order to protect pets and people, Animal Friends is once again hosting a series of low-cost Rabies Clinics throughout the area this summer. Pet vaccines will be available for just $10 each at the following clinics:

• STRIP DISTRICT: Sunday, June 7, 11am - 1pm at Eazor Square between 29th and 30th Streets (Follow signs from Smallman Street and 28th)
  
  
• McKEESPORT: Sunday, June 28, 11am - 1pm at the McKeesport Fire Hall on Eden Park Boulevard
  
  
• PENN HILLS: Sunday, July 12 from 11am - 1pm at the Penn Hill Municipal Garage on Leechburg Road

August and September rabies clinics will also be announced. Watch http://www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/ or call 412.847.7076 for additional dates.

All dogs and cats three months of age and over will be vaccinated on a first-come, first-served basis.  For safety reasons, all dogs must be on leashes and all cats in carriers. 

State law requires that all pets over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, with non-compliance resulting in $300 per day fines.

Rabies is a disease transmitted by the saliva of an infected animal, which enters the central nervous system and causes a brain infection. It is most commonly spread through a bite from an infected dog, cat, raccoon, fox, skunk, or bat. Left untreated, it is usually fatal.

In animals, rabies can take two forms: “furious” and “paralytic.” The “furious” form includes aggression, excessive vocalization, dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, restlessness, and/or biting at objects and other animals. The “paralytic” form includes decreased activity, lack of coordination and weakness of the hind legs. As the disease progresses, the animal’s lower jaw may drop, and it may drool, be unable to swallow, become paralyzed and die. Some animals may show no symptoms at all and simply die.

Once humans develop symptoms, the disease is almost always fatal, so it’s important to seek treatment immediately if you think you’ve been exposed to rabies.  Early symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat and feeling tired. When the virus moves to the brain, the person may act nervous, confused and upset.

Animal Friends encourages pet owners to protect their pets from rabies by keeping them in the house or under their supervision at all times. If you notice an animal in your yard that is behaving in an aggressive, erratic manner, report the incident to your local police or animal control agency, as it could be showing signs of rabies infection.

For more information about Animal Friends’ rabies clinics, call 412.847.7076 or visit http://www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/.

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About Animal Friends
Animal Friends is a non-profit companion animal resource center serving the needs of pets and people since 1943.  Our progressive programs have been nationally recognized and include humane rescue, shelter and adoption services for over 2,500 pets annually, humane education, pet behavior classes, pet-assisted therapy, wellness programs and more. In addition, Animal Friends is leading the way towards ending pet overpopulation in western Pennsylvania through comprehensive, community-wide spay/neuter programming. Animal Friends is supported by donors, 700 volunteers and a staff dedicated to ensuring the well being of companion animals, while ending overpopulation, abuse and unwarranted euthanasia. For more information, visit http://www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/.

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