McHenry County Animal Control to hold drive-thru microchipping, rabies vaccination clinic

CRYSTAL LAKE — The McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center (MCAC) has scheduled a low-cost microchipping and rabies clinics for cats on May 18.

This event is by appointment only. Pet owners should call (815) 459-6222 to schedule their visit. The clinic will be held at 100 N. Virginia Street in Crystal Lake on Tuesday, May 18, from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m.

This event is only available for McHenry County pet owners.

The cost for a rabies vaccination is $15 for one year and $30 for three years. Registration fees are additional and vary depending on factors such as if your pet is spayed or neutered. Pet registration is required by law in McHenry County and tags must be purchased at the time of vaccination.

Microchips are free if the pet is receiving its rabies vaccine and registration but costs $5 otherwise. Please do not bring animals that are in heat. Owners must disclose bite history and temperament concerns when making an appointment. Please only bring socialized cats to the event.

Illinois law requires both cats and dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinated pets provide a barrier of protection between wildlife that carry rabies and humans. According to the CDC, more than 59,000 people worldwide die from rabies each year, mainly in countries that do not have robust rabies vaccination programs.

Both indoor and outdoor pets should be vaccinated. Possible exposures for indoor pets include: interacting with other pets, accidentally getting outside and contact with wildlife that comes indoors. Bats are known to get into homes and are also common carriers of rabies in Illinois. In 2020, all wildlife specimens that tested positive for rabies in Illinois were bats, including two in McHenry County.

To keep your pets’ rabies vaccination up to date, call (815) 459-6222 to reserve a spot at one of MCAC’s upcoming clinics. More information about the clinics is available at bit.ly/MCDHAnimalControl.