Wheeling Shelter Hosting Rabies Vaccine, Microchip Clinics

WHEELING, IL — Heartland Animal Shelter is partnering with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control for rabies vaccine and microchip clinics through November. According to ARC, the clinics kick off Saturday as part of its Partners in Prevention program.

Heartland Animal Shelter is a non-profit, no kill animal shelter located at 586 Palwaukee Drive.

The local animal organizations will offer low-cost or free 1-year rabies and distemper vaccines in addition to microchips. The partnerships ultimately link pet owners to organizations in their area for year-round pet care, helping to create a healthier pet community, according to ARC.

There are over 30 clinics currently scheduled on Saturdays throughout the coming months. ARC said it used data from Cook County’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to help determine some of this year’s clinic locations. The index ranks elements such as socioeconomic status, age, potential language barriers, housing type and access to a vehicle.

“Protecting our pets against a preventable but potentially deadly virus is essential,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “I am grateful to the County’s partners for coming together to ensure our pet population receives these vital vaccines.”

ARC is reminding residents that rabies is always fatal to unvaccinated pets and is a preventable virus that causes inflammation of the brain in mammals. Rabies vaccines are required by law.

“Providing free or low-cost access to rabies vaccines is one way the County limits transmission,” said Mamadou Diakhate, ARC administrator. “Last year, we administered nearly 5,500 rabies vaccines and over 3,000 microchips to County pets. This critical program offers an affordable way to keep pets healthy and safe.”

In addition to Heartland, ARC is partnering with the following organizations to host rabies vaccine and microchip clinics for cats and dogs:

• Chicago Animal Care and Control
• Chicago Wolves
• Evanston Animal Shelter
• South Suburban Humane Society
• The Anti-Cruelty Society
• Tree House Humane Society

Find the complete list of rabies vaccine and microchip clinics in an interactive map on ARC’s webpage here.