posted on Monday, October 15, 2012
Urbana, IL - The Illinois Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ISCASV) of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois is organizing a no-cost rabies vaccination clinic to be held as part of the World Rabies Day initiative on Sunday, October 21, 2012. The clinic is designed to attract pet-owning citizens in the community, and is done in partnership with Champaign County Animal Control and the Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition. The no-cost rabies clinic will be for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Champaign County Animal Services Facility, located at 210 S. Art Bartell Road in Urbana.
Animals must be at least 12 weeks of age to receive a vaccine. No appointment is necessary and vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. All animals must be leashed or crated. Pet owners will be asked about their pet’s known vaccine history, but even pets with no known history can be vaccinated.
This is the second year that ISCASV has organized a rabies vaccination clinic to promote rabies prevention by encouraging vaccination of pet animals. Last year’s clinic vaccinated 68 animals, and the goal this year is to exceed 200 pets. While rabies kills 55,000 people worldwide, the institution of mandatory pet vaccination has significantly reduced the incidence of human rabies in the United States. Vaccinating pet animals serves as a barrier to preventing the disease in humans.
The World Rabies Day initiative is a global rabies awareness campaign to spread the word about rabies prevention, and is spearheaded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. This year’s World Rabies Day represents the fifth anniversary of the initiative, and the goal is to make rabies prevention efforts a year-round endeavor and not just a day. Events are planned throughout the world to increase awareness about rabies and to raise support and funding towards its control and prevention. ISCASV recognizes World Rabies Day as an opportunity to not only increase rabies awareness, but to do something to prevent the disease. This event will be listed on the World Rabies Day website, www.worldrabiesday.org.
The clinic is another of the many examples of the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana community partnership that exists to the mutual benefit of both the institution and the public. In addition to Champaign County Animal Control, the ISCASV no-cost rabies clinic is supported by the Illinois Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition. Donations towards the effort are encouraged and will be accepted the day of the clinic.
About the Illinois Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ISCASV)
ISCASV is a student organization of the ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians). Their mission is to improve the health and well being of animals in shelters through the advancement of shelter medicine. They do this by giving veterinary students opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience with shelter medicine through community events and educational opportunities.
Community Partner Contact Information
Champaign County Animal Control - Stephanie Joos, Director - 217-333-8911
Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition