Annual Libby rabies clinic is May 7-11

The long-running annual Libby Rabies Clinic, featuring half-price vaccinations, coincides with National Pet Week this year.

Veterinarians Doug Griffiths and Fred Conkel will conduct the clinic from May 7 to May 11, offering vaccinations for $9 and by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling Treasure Valley Veterinary Clinic at 406-293-7410 or Westgate Animal Clinic at 406-293-2300.

Pets — including ferrets — must be healthy and at least four months old to be vaccinated, according to a news release that also states veterinarians and public health officials remain highly concerned about rabies. “Although northwest Montana isn’t particularly plagued with rabies at the present time, almost all warm-blooded species of animals can become infected,” the news release states. “With virus reservoirs in wildlife populations, immunization of pets serves to create an immune barrier between wildlife and humans. Community-wide vaccination of pets is the most important means of preventing exposure of people to this deadly disease.”