Map of Local Rabies Cases

More Articles on Local Rabies Cases:
Animal control confirms first rabies case of '08
Wednesday, Feb 13 2008, 2:30 pm

Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Shelby
Monday, Mar 17 2008, 10:26 pm

Puppy diagnosed with rabies
Monday, Apr 28 2008, 10:33 pm

Rabid raccoon found in Mooresboro
Thursday, May 15 2008, 10:40 am


SHELBY - Want to keep Rex, Fifi and Mister Whiskers healthy? A rabies vaccination is a quick and cheap way to make sure your dog, cat and ferret stay happy and healthy. And starting in July, having your pet's rabies information up to date will also save you a hefty fine.
"We're getting an additional animal control officer," Cleveland County Health Director Denese Stallings said. "And from July to December his sole purpose will be to canvass areas throughout the county, door-to-door, to make sure animals have been vaccinated."

The new officer, along with numerous rabies clinics, are part of the health department's plan to gain control over rabies in the county.

Cases so far
So far this year, Stallings said, there have been four county rabies cases. Last year there were 28 and 168 total since 1998. That averages to more than 15 cases a year.

"It's pretty obvious that rabies is prevalent in our community," Sam Lockridge, coordinator of health services for the Cleveland County Health Department, previously told The Star.

Lockridge said last year's double-digit figure isn't alarming but is an example of the constant problem Cleveland and neighboring counties face. What concerns him more than anything, he said, is the fact that two of last year's fatal cases were domestic animals, a kitten and a horse, whose deaths could have been prevented with a vaccination or booster shot.

Wallet matters
"People need to take responsibility for their animals. An unvaccinated animal puts people at risk," Stallings said.
And that risk can hit the wallet as well as the pain button.

Not only are the post-exposure shots painful, they can be very expensive. In the past 10 years, Stallings said the department had spent more than $300,000 on post-exposure treatments.
Local veterinarians have taken up the cause for controlling rabies by offering satellite clinics throughout the past week and today.

"We've done a lot of vaccinations this week," said Dr. Joseph Wright of Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital. "More today (Thursday) than ever."
The help of area vets has been invaluable, Stallings said.

"They've been very supportive," she said. "They recognize the need to get this under control."
Candy Arey was among those at Wright's office Thursday. Arey, who was having her golden retriever, Lucy, vaccinated, said keeping your pet healthy is part of the relationship.

"You love your dog," she said. "You want them healthy so you do these things for them."

Last day to get special rate

The final day of the Cleveland County Rabies Clinic is today. Vaccinations are only $6, a special rate that will be only available until the end of the day.

This special rate is available at the following veterinarian offices and satellite clinics. Information provided by Cleveland County Health Department.
Cats should be in a carry-all; an officer will be on site to pickup any strays.
Bring your dog(s) or cat(s) for vaccinations or boosters to one of the offices or satellite clinics:

Satellite sites/Extra hours


Shelby
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. at Shanghai Volunteer Fire Dept., Burke Road (Dr. Yarboro)
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Boulevard Animal Hospital, 1335 E. Dixon Blvd. (Drs. Westmoreland & Dixon)
Grover
3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 2621 Blacksburg Road (Dr. Yarboro)

Boiling Springs / Lattimore
9 a.m. - 11a.m. at Ingles Market, Inc. 214 N. Main St., Boiling Springs (Dr. Reese)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. at Ambassador Baptist College, Old Lattimore School site, (Dr. Reese)
Polkville
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Old Polkville School location on the circle driveway, (Dr. Ousley)

Kings Mountain
9 a.m. - Noon at Kings Mountain Animal Hospital, 1912 Shelby Road, (Dr. Eskridge)

What is rabies?
A virus that kills more than 50,000 people and millions of animals around the world each year.
How can you get rabies? Coming into contact with infected animals.
Rabies is passed through saliva, which usually happens when an infected animal bites another animal.

What animals can get rabies? Mammals, including dogs, cats, cattle and people. The most common sources of rabies exposure are skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes.
What are signs of rabies? Unusual behavior, including sickness, problems swallowing, increased drooling and aggression.
If a wild animal appears tame or not afraid of people, that could be a sign it has the disease.
How is rabies controlled? Through vaccinations.
It is state law to have dogs, cats and ferrets regularly vaccinated, but livestock, including horses and cattle, can also be vaccinated.

Source: Centers for
Disease Control

State health officials say the rabies problem is rooted in North Carolina's wildlife, specifically raccoons, foxes and bats, and having pets and livestock vaccinated will help keep the virus from reaching the human population, where it is also fatal.
The cyclical rise and fall of rabies cases is a direct correlation to the raccoon population, according to Dr. Carl Williams of the North Carolina Veterinary Public Health Program.
"This is a problem we're going to be living with for quite some time," he said. "If we keep our pets vaccinated, that's how we protect our pets and protect people."

Learn more about rabies