Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor
It may not feel like it, but Spring is coming. Now is a good time to get your pet their annual rabies vaccination to protect them from this deadly disease. Plus, the law requires pets to be vaccinated. Animal shelters, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities have scheduled low-cost rabies clinics as listed below.
First, a few things to know before you take your animal to a rabies clinic.
Some of the low-cost events can only accept cash. If in doubt, it’s a good idea to take cash with you.
Cats and dogs are expected, but other pets may be vaccinated. Clinic organizers prefer to know in advance if an unusual animal is coming in for a shot. When in doubt, call.
Cats must be in carriers.
Dogs must be on-leash, in a cage, or in a carrier.
Clinics will usually provide one-year rabies vaccinations without question. Three-year shots require proof of prior-year rabies vaccination; if you have this, take the certificate and tag with you to be eligible for a three-year shot. Following your pet’s 2019 vaccination at a rabies clinics, save the paperwork and a rabies tag that they provide for each animal you have vaccinated. Keep these for your records, and to use next year for your pet to be eligible for a three-year rabies shot.
Ed. Note: Dates may change, weather may affect locations, or typos may happen. Links have been provided for the below event. If an upcoming Eastern NC rabies clinic is missing, email details to the editor and it may be added to the list.
Edgecombe County, NC
Saturday, April 6, 2019 and Additional Dates
A picture’s worth a thousand words. Here is the 2019 vaccination clinic flyer issued by the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office listing March through November clinics in several Tarboro, NC locations. (Click the image to open a larger view.)
Follow the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook here.
Rabies clinics may be found via the Friends of Edgecombe County Animals. Follow the group here.
Franklin County, NC
April 6, May 4, and June 1, 2019 @ 8-9am (held monthly)
Rabies clinics are held each month at the Franklin County Animal Shelter, 351 T. Kemp Road, Louisburg, NC, with vaccinations provided by Tar River Veterinary Hospital.
Rabies Vaccines are $5 each for one-year rabies shots. Three-year rabies vaccines available if you to bring your pet’s current certificate of previous rabies vaccination. Additional canine/feline vaccines available (Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella, Leukemia).
These are “walk-up” clinics (no appointments necessary). With questions regarding monthly rabies clinic dates, call 919.494.5500. For updates, follow Tar River Veterinary Hospital’s Facebook page.
Johnston County, NC
Saturday, March 30, 2019 @ 8am-5pm
Saturday, April 13, 2019 @ 8am-5pm
Held at Johnston County Animal Services, 115 Shelter Way, Smithfield, NC.
Fee is $5 (cash only) per pet for a one-year rabies vaccination. Dogs and cats must be four months of age or older.
Follow Johnston County Animal Services on Facebook for events/updates.
Nash County, NC
Thursday, April 18, 2019 (held monthly)
On the third Thursday of each month, Coats Veterinary Hospital holds a rabies clinic. Pet owners may bring their pets in for shots at a cost of $5 plus five cans of “people” food. The food is donated to a local nonprofit, My Sister’s House.
Coats Veterinary Hospital is located at 4710 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC. With questions, call 252.407.1616; follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coatsvet.
Wilson County, NC
Saturday, May 4, 2019 @ 8am-noon
The Wilson County Animal Shelter’s rabies clinic will offer one-year rabies vaccinations for $5 per pet. (Note that 3-yr vaccines will not be available.)
The clinic will be held at the shelter, located at 4001 Airport Drive, Wilson, NC.
Follow the Friends of Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter on Facebook for updates.
Wake County, NC
Various Dates
The Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) website includes a calendar of upcoming rabies vaccination clinics. These clinics may be held in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Raleigh, and other Wake County locations. Upcoming rabies clinics include:
- WCAC Rabies and Microchip Clinic at the NC DMV, 1100 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC — March 30, 2019 @ 9am-noon
- WCAC Rabies and Microchip Clinic at Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Avenue, Wake Forest, NC — April 20, 2019 @ 9am-noon
- WCAC Rabies and Microchip Clinic at Main Street Park Gazebo, 200 S Main Street, Rolesville, NC — May 18, 2019 @ 9am-noon
Rabies shots are $5 per pet, with microchips available for $10 per pet. Payments may be made by cash or check; no credit/debit cards.
Check the calendar at www.wakegov.com/pets/events to see the latest dates.
Orange County, NC
Various Dates
A little outside our news area, but since this county has posted its 2019 schedule of low-cost rabies clinics, the schedule link is www.orangecountync.gov/308/Low-Cost-Clinics.
Other Locations
Tractor Supply has a PetVet Clinic that provides rabies vaccinations through some of their nationwide stores. Visit petvet.vippetcare.com/find-a-clinic for the PetVet Clinic’s map search.
Ed. Note: Originally published March 9, 2019. Updated March 12, 20, and 26, 2019.
