Low-Cost Rabies Vaccinations Available in Sevier County

The Sevier County Health Department is partnering with county veterinarians to offer low-cost rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats at Sevier County locations May 7 – 16, 2019. Tennessee law requires all dogs and cats over 6 months of age be vaccinated for rabies.

6:30-7:15 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2019

• Wearwood Elementary School, 226 Cedar St in Sevierville
• Northview Primary School, 3293 Douglas Dam Rd St in Kodak

6:30-7:15 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2019

• Seymour Intermediate School, 212 N Pitner Rd St in Seymour
• Dupont Community Center, 1720 Dupont Rd St in Seymour

6:30-7:15 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2019

• Gatlinburg Pittman High School, 150 Proffitt Rd St in Gatlinburg
• Sevier County Co-op, 321 W Main St St in Sevierville

6:30-7:15 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2019

• New Center Elementary School, 2701 Old Newport Hwy St in Sevierville
• Pigeon Forge Middle School, 300 Wears Valley Rd St in Pigeon Forge

The cost of each vaccine is $10, cash only. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

“Rabies is still a threat in Tennessee, so it is important that all pet owners keep their dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccinations,” said Rebecca Nowack, Environmental Health Specialist with the Sevier County Health Department. “Rabies vaccinations protect people as well as pets, since our pets are more likely than people to come into contact with wild animals that may have the virus, and unvaccinated pets could then spread the virus to humans.”

Most reported cases of rabies in Tennessee occur in wild animals. In 2018, there were 30 cases of rabies reported across Tennessee, with 21 of those cases among skunks. Vaccination programs are a major factor in preventing rabies in humans. The last human case of rabies occurred in 2002 when a contact with a bat occurred but was not reported.

Rabies is transmitted by the saliva of an infected mammal. Rabid animals are not always aggressive and may carry the rabies virus without showing any recognizable signs of infection. Any animals that are acting strange, such as nocturnal animals seen out in the daytime, must be regarded as sick and potentially rabid. If a wild or domestic animal seems sick or exhibits strange behavior, report it to your local animal control agency.

People can be exposed to rabies when attempting to help, feed, or handle wild animals, so it’s important to avoid touching any wild animal, especially common carriers of rabies, including bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. If you are bitten or come in contact with the saliva of an animal that may be sick or rabid, contact your healthcare provider.

For more information concerning rabies vaccination clinics, call the Sevier County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 865-453-2787.

Learn more about rabies online at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html