Animal Services, HSPD to conduct rabies drive

Hot Springs has not had any recent rabies incidents involving dogs or cats or other pets, and to a large degree that can be attributed to the semiannual rabies drive conducted by Hot Springs Animal Services, organizers said.

The fall rabies drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the north parking lot of First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave., where rabies vaccinations will be available for $5.

"The fact we don't have any dogs or cats infected in this area shows the rabies program is working and a lot is from these drives they are doing," Hot Springs police Cpl. Joey Williams, the department's public relations officer, said Tuesday.

"It's a great discount for the public," he said. HSPD oversees Hot Springs Animal Services.

"It's going to be a good day. It's well coordinated," police Sgt. Chris Lackey, Animal Services supervisor, said.

The last rabies drive was conducted in April and "had a really good turnout. Probably about 1,000 people showed up and we had about 600 rabies shots given," Michelle Stone, HSAS coordinator, said.

"We try to do it twice a year, in the spring and the fall. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it. If you have a pet, you need to do it," she said.

In addition to rabies shots, attendees can also get a city license for their pet, $10 for a one-year license for a non-fixed animal or $20 for a lifetime license for a fixed animal. They will also have microchipping available for a $20 donation.

"By offering the microchips, it helps (animal services) reunite lost animals with their families. It also keeps them from having as many animals in there," Williams said.

Stone said the Garland County Sheriff's Department will also be there giving out spay/neuter vouchers for city and county residents.

As far as reports of rabies in Garland County, Stone said this year there were two bats and one skunk that tested positive for rabies. "Last year, we had six bats and one skunk. Bats are the most common (carriers)," she said.

"Anytime someone sees a bat, dead or alive, they should call us. We can decide at that point if it's too decomposed or if it can be shipped (to the Arkansas Health Department) for testing," she said.

There have been no cases involving dogs or cats in Garland County in recent memory, but there was one dog that tested positive in White County this year, she said, noting they had one dog and one cat in the state last year.

"In 2016, there was one donkey and one cow. The donkey was in Conway. I'm not sure about the cow," Stone said.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of warm-blooded animals, particularly mammals, according to the Arkansas Health Department website. It is usually spread by an infected animal biting another animal or person. Rabies almost always leads to death unless treatment is provided soon after exposure.

In Arkansas, rabies lives and circulates in wild skunks and bats. Any mammal can become infected with rabies, including domestic pets such as dogs and cats, agricultural animals such as cows and horses, and people who are exposed to rabid wildlife, it said.

Arkansas Rabies Law requires all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age by a licensed veterinarian. "One shot is not enough, rabies vaccinations must be kept current so one should consult their veterinarian about rabies booster shots," the website said.

Stone said Animal Services is planning a Christmas adoption event and will also have a booth set up at the annual HSPD Boo with a Badge event to be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Central Fire Station on Broadway Street.

"We have about 50 dogs and cats currently at the center needing homes," she said. For a fee of $55 for dogs and $35 for cats you can adopt a pet which has been fixed, microchipped and vaccinated for rabies.

Local on 10/14/2018

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