If you have a pet in need of vaccinations, this is the weekend to do it!  The Animal Defense League will offer low-cost vaccinations at its Nacogdoches Road location July 26, while the Windcrest Animal Hospital will set up mobile clinics throughout San Antonio – including two near the Stone Oak area – all weekend long.
 
Both the state of Texas and City of San Antonio require all pets be vaccinated for rabies.  Last week, Bexar County confirmed the first case of rabies in a domestic animal since 2005.  Bitten by a rabid skunk in June, the two-month old kitten was found to have rabies after the kitten scratched the pet owner’s two young children.  Seven other wild animals in Bexar County have been found with rabies just this year.  A potentially fatal disease, rabies is spread by contact with infected saliva, primarily through a bite.
 
According to San Antonio’s Animal Care Services, the rabies vaccine should be administered to dogs and cats between three and four months of age, with a booster shot given one year later.  After that, pets need to receive the rabies vaccine every three years.  Pets should also be vaccinated for other diseases, including distemper and parvo which are almost always fatal and highly contagious. 
 
Along with vaccinations, San Antonio requires pets be licensed with the city by way of a microchip.  Replacing the old method of collared tags which can be easily lost, microchips are placed under the pet’s skin and contain an ID number and owner’s contact information.  Both the Windcrest Animal Hospital and the Defense League will offer microchips this weekend.  Although dogs and cats can receive the microchip from clinics or their veterinarian, their owners should register the ID number with Animal Care Services in case the pet becomes lost.
 
Those attending this weekend’s vaccination clinics are asked to have their dog on a leash and cat in a carrier.  Windcrest’s mobile clinics will only accept cash or checks.  Below is a list of nearby mobile clinics, although Windcrest will be set up at multiple locations throughout San Antonio.  For a complete list visit http://www.lowcostvacc.com.
 
Windcrest Animal Hospital Low-Cost Mobile Clinics
H-E-B at Loop 1604 and Blanco Road
Saturday, July 26 from 9 to 11 a.m.
 
Wal-Mart at Loop 1604 and Hwy 281
Sunday, July 27 from 9 to 11 a.m.
 
Cost:
Rabies 1 Year: $8
Rabies 3 Year: $18
Rabies, DHLPPV Package (Dogs): $22
Rabies, DHLPPV, Bordetella Package (Dogs): $32
Rabies, DHLPPV, Bordetella, Lyme Package (Dogs): $45
Microchips: $27 with free lifetime registration
Clinics will also offer heartworm screenings and preventatives, flea and tapeworm medications and tests for feline leukemia.
 
Animal Defense League Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic
11300 Nacogdoches Road
Saturday, July 26 from 7 a.m. to noon
 
Costs:
Rabies: $10
Dog/Cat Rabies Booster: $15
Bordetella: $15
FelV: $20
Heart Worm Test: $25
Fecal Test: $20
Microchip: $25
Dog Wash (any size): $10
Nail Clip: $5