Pet Allies teaming up to prevent, control rabies

Posted: Friday, September 16, 2011 5:00 am | Updated: 7:32 am, Fri Sep 16, 2011

SHOW LOW - In Show Low a global grassroots campaign is taking shape. This year, Pet Allies will be teaming up with international rabies experts to celebrate World Rabies Day on Sept. 28.

Pet Allies is offering free rabies vaccines to anyone who has their pet spayed or neutered at its clinic during the month of September, or until 250 doses of the vaccines have been used. To find out if you qualify for the free rabies, contact Pet Allies at (928) 532-1602, write CM@PetAlliesAz.org, or visit the clinic at 4050 S White Mountain Road, in Show Low, Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"We saw this as an opportunity to highlight the rabies prevention and control efforts in our community, while teaming up with people around the world towards a common goal," says Santra Sperling, Pet Allies' Clinic Director.

"This is a coordinated effort to let the world know that this disease can be readily prevented through education, pet vaccination and increased human awareness as to proper wound management and administration of rabies vaccination after an exposure has occurred", says Dr. Deborah Briggs, Executive Director for the Alliance for Rabies Control.

In the United States, the greatest achievement in rabies control and prevention occurred half-a-century ago with effective implementation of dog vaccination, licensing and stray dog control. "We cannot let our guard down with rabies," warns Santra Sperling, Clinic Director at Pet Allies. "Rabies is ever-present in wildlife which can expose our pets and possibly our family members."

Rabies vaccinations and licenses are required by the City of Show Low. Citizens living in Navajo and Apache County must have proof of rabies vaccine as well. Navajo County further requires a license, which can be obtained at Pet Allies' clinic. "Rabies prevention starts with the animal owner," advises RJ Owens, Pet Allies Director. "We recommend that people vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets, and any other animal that has regular contact with humans, such as horses."