For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The South Wood County Humane Society will host their annual pet vaccine and microchip clinic on Aug. 15, 9 a.m. – noon, at the Grand Rapids Lions Club, 2411 36th St. South, Wisconsin Rapids.

“Our main goal is to provide pet owners the opportunity to vaccinate and microchip their pets at an affordable cost,” said Beth Peabody, executive director. “Pet ownership can be expensive, especially for those who have multiple pets. We want to offer all owners the ability to protect their pets through vaccines and microchipping, including those with limited financial means.”

The clinic will offer a rabies, distemper, and microchip package; and one-year rabies, three-year rabies, and distemper options.

Following the clinic, owners will receive a vaccine certificate and rabies tag via mail. The rabies certificate and tag is required for owners to obtain a pet license. Licenses can only be issued for pets that have up-to-date rabies vaccinations, which for dogs, cats and ferrets are required by state law and county code. Most municipalities require pets are licensed annually.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease generally transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, with the vast majority of cases occurring in wild animals. Wildlife can transmit rabies to unvaccinated pets and humans, and the disease can be fatal. Distemper is a contagious and serious viral illness with an unknown cure, impacting most major organs and can be fatal.

The South Wood County Humane Society is also offering low-cost microchipping.

“Licensing and microchipping dramatically increases the likelihood your pet will be returned, should they become lost and end up at our shelter,” said Peabody. “A microchip is only as good as the phone number linked to the account. If you have changed your phone number since your pet was microchipped, please contact the manufacturer or the organization who originally administered the chip.”

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, South Wood County is taking extra precautions and implementing new policies. For more information, please call 715-423-0505 or email swchs@swchs.com.

No appointment is needed. Dogs must be leashed and cats contained in carriers.