INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Three veterinarians and their assistants were consistently busy Wednesday evening administering shot after shot of the rabies vaccine to about 200 dogs and cats that came out to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County for World Rabies Day.
Among those in line for the shot was Cinnamon, a 1-year-5-month-old Chocolate Pit Bull.
“She’s a good dog,” said Kathy Benton, of Vero Beach. “She’s my big baby.”
Benton brought Cinnamon out to the Humane Society because otherwise the dog might not have gotten her required shot.
“She was due again in August,” Benton said of Cinnamon’s rabies shot. Unemployed, Benton explained she has had to watch her money and when she heard about the Humane Society’s World Rabies Day vaccination event, she knew she would be able to get Cinnamon taken care of.
“It saved the office visit,” Benton said.
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County was able to provide 200 free rabies vaccines to Indian River County pets due to a grant from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and Pfizer Animal Health.
“Rabies is endemic to the population in the area,” said Humane Society Director of Animal Protective Services Ilka Daniel, explaining that there is no cure – only prevention and post-treatment for rabies.
Daniel further explained that recent changes to the Health Department’s rules require non-vaccinated pets that have been exposed to bats to automatically be quarantined – regardless of being bit. Quarantine could cost $200, Daniel said.
“Shots are a real cheap way to avoid all that,” she said.
Several people brought their cats to the Humane Society for a rabies shot, which the organization strongly encourages.
Daniel said many people decline to have their cats vaccinated because they are “indoor” cats.
“Accidents happen,” Daniel said, explaining cats can get loose.
Captola Liles was one of a handful of cat owners to come out to the World Rabies Day vaccination event.
“It was just perfect timing for me,” Liles said.
Liles brought 6-month-old Marco, a Manx, to get his shot ahead of getting neutered.
“I’m on an income that I have to watch every penny I spend,” Liles said, adding that the free vaccination would help her save $10 to be put toward Marco’s other medical care.
“We still have to take care of our pets,” she said.
Along with participating in World Rabies Day, the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is also working to educate the public on rabies prevention and animal safety.
“Vaccinating pets against rabies and teaching children how to act safely around animals is the key to prevention,” said Janet Winikoff, the shelter’s director of education, in a prepared statement regarding World Rabies Day.
Throughout the fall the Humane Society will be providing educational programs focusing on animal safety for children. For information on those programs, call (772) 388-3331 ext. 18.
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County would like to thank the following veterinarians for donating their time and skills to the World Rabies Day vaccination event: Dr. Elizabeth Bybee, of the Humane Society; Dr. Jeffrey Slade, of Sebastian Animal Hospital; and Dr. Annette Sysel, of the Bauer Foundation.
