2018 Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine, Microchip Clinics Scheduled by County Animal Control Department

Cook County pet owners can save money and protect their animals from rabies by taking advantage of Cook County’s low-cost rabies vaccine clinics this spring and summer.

The inaugural low-cost rabies vaccine clinic of 2018 will take place Tuesday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Southwest Ice Arena, 5550 W. 127th St., Crestwood. It is the first of more than 30 rabies vaccine clinics scheduled throughout suburban Cook County and Chicago.

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control is also offering low-cost microchip clinics. The first one of the season will take place Thursday, July 26 at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Avenue in Calumet City. It is the first of three clinics scheduled.

A full schedule of both clinics is available on the department’s website. 

The cost of a one-year rabies shot  at the rabies clinics is $7 for dogs and cats and a three-year rabies shot is $21. Ferret vaccines, which last one-year, are $9. Only rabies vaccinations will be available at the low-cost rabies vaccination clinics

Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the County’s Animal and Rabies Control Department, said it’s crucial to ensure that dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on their rabies immunization.

“The clinic addresses a serious public health issue,” she said. “If your dog, cat or ferret is bitten by a rabid animal, this shot will prevent them from getting rabies and passing it on to other animals or to humans.”

The cost of the microchip implantation is $10 per animal. The registration of the chip in a national database is $19.95 per animal. Only microchips will be provided at the low-cost microchip clinics.

“Microchipping your pet can help in the event that the animal goes missing,” Dr. Alexander said. “If the animal is found by police, Animal Control or a Good Samaritan, a scan of the microchip can help reunite you and your pet.”

Only cash or checks are accepted for the rabies vaccine and for the microchip implantation. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

The rates represent a substantial discount in what is normally charged for these services.