Series of Area Clinics to Offer Rabies Shots

Pet owners can have their dogs or cats vaccinated against rabies and other diseases at a series of clinics held in the Valley over the next two months.

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation has scheduled the clinics at various recreation facilities. Rabies vaccinations cost $4 and others will range from $5 to $11. Dog licensing also will be provided at many of the clinics.

State law requires that dogs over the age of 4 months be inoculated against rabies, and the animal regulation department requires vaccination before dogs can be licensed.

Dr. Dena Mangiamele, the city’s chief veterinarian, said the department this year is emphasizing vaccinations of cats, whose roaming nature leaves them at more of a risk than usually “incarcerated” dogs.

Still, the city is fortunate not to have the rabies problem that rabid raccoons have caused on the East Coast, Mangiamele said.

“But all it’s going to take is someone moving out here whose pet was infected out there and we’ll have a huge problem,” she said. “That’s why we’re so cautious.”

Clinic dates, times and Valley sites include:

* Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Recreation Center, 5858 Shoup Ave.

* Jan. 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m., North Hollywood Recreation Center, 5301 Tujunga Ave.

* Jan. 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Studio City Recreation Center, 12621 Rye St.

* Feb. 1, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunland Park and Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Road.

* Feb. 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Reseda Recreation Center, 18411 Victory Blvd.

* March 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Lanark Park, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park.

* March 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St.

Dogs should not have food or water five to six hours before the clinics. Owners must use a collar and leash for dogs and a carrier for cats.

For more information, call (213) 893-8566.