Rabies Vaccinations
Community Outreach Drive-Thru Rabies Vaccine Clinics For Mecklenburg County Residents
Ensuring Your Pet's Safety: Vaccination is Key!
At Animal Care & Control, we prioritize the well-being of your beloved pets, because we understand they are integral members of your family. One crucial aspect of pet care, mandated by North Carolina law, is the administration of a valid rabies vaccine for all cats, dogs, and ferrets over four months of age.
Rabies is a serious, often fatal viral disease that can affect both animals and humans. By vaccinating your pets against rabies, you're not only safeguarding their health but also protecting your family from potential exposure to this deadly virus. This is particularly important if your furry friend frequently ventures outdoors, where encounters with rabid wildlife can occur without your knowledge.
When your pet is vaccinated against rabies, they become a barrier against the transmission of the disease. This means that even if they come into contact with a rabid animal, they cannot pass on the infection to you or other family members.
To further support the safety of both you and your pets, we're pleased to offer complimentary rabies vaccination clinics. These clinics provide an accessible opportunity to ensure your pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccine, promoting a safer environment for everyone.
Remember, protecting your pet's health means protecting your family too. Stay informed, stay proactive, and join us in our mission to keep our community safe and rabies-free. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our furry companions and the people who love them.
Help us keep this a free program by donating!
When: 2nd Saturday of every month
2025 Dates
May 10 (Mega Clinic)
June 14
July 12
August 8
September 13
October 11 (Mega Clinic location TBD)
November 8
December 13
Where:
2725 Beam Road - Charlotte, NC 28217 (Charlotte Vehicle Operations Center)
Time:
8:00 a.m to 10:45 a.m. (please ensure you are in line by 10:45 a.m. to receive services)
Drive-Thru Rabies Clinic Instructions:
Thank you for bringing your pet to our free rabies vaccine clinic. Ensuring your pet's rabies vaccine is up to-date is vital not only for their health and the safety of your family but also mandated by law in North Carolina. Dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months old must have current rabies vaccinations.
To streamline the process for everyone, we've relocated our clinic to a convenient drive-thru setting. This means you can stay comfortably in your car, reducing stress for both you and your pet.
Here's what you need to know:
- This clinic provides 1-year rabies vaccines.
- This service is available to residents of Mecklenburg County.
- Pets must be at least 12-weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine.
- Dogs should be leashed, and cats should be in carriers.
- Have your legal ID ready for registration.
- Please remain in your vehicle throughout the process.
- Look for our team members in yellow vests for assistance.
- Follow the directions provided by our staff for smooth traffic flow.
- A team member will handle paperwork at your car.
- You'll hold your pet during vaccination; our staff will guide you on the best approach.
- After vaccination, you'll receive a rabies certificate with the tag taped to it (yellow paper).
- Keep the certificate in a safe place where you can easily find it.
- This rabies vaccination is valid for one year. Set a reminder to update your pet's vaccine next year.
- Occasionally pets make have a reaction to a rabies vaccine. We will provide information at the clinic for what to look for and where to go help, should your pet show signs of a reaction.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe from rabies.
Upcoming opportunities for you and your pets!
Animal Care & Control is partnering with VEG ER for Pets, Mecklenburg County Public Health, and Petco Love to offer the first of two Mega Clinics for Mecklenburg County pet owners this year. A big thanks to our shelter partner VEG ER for Pets for supporting this clinic with veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Special thanks to Mecklenburg County Public Health, for providing the rabies vaccines and to Petco Love for donating the core vaccines.
To streamline the process for everyone, we've relocated our clinic to a convenient drive-thru setting. This means you can stay comfortably in your car, reducing stress for both you and your pet.
May 10, 2025
8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (must be in line by 10:45 a.m. to receive service)
2725 Beam Road - Charlotte, NC 28217 (Charlotte Vehicle Operations Center)
Here's what you need to know:
- Bring a valid driver's license or government issued i.d.
- Clinic is for Mecklenburg County residents
Important information:
- 1-year and 3-year rabies vaccines, to receive a 3-year vaccine, please bring proof of prior vaccination.
- Health Exam and core vaccines for dogs and cats.
Dogs - DAPP (Nobivac Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
Cats - 1-HCP (Nobivac Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calci, Panleukopenia)
- HomeAgain Microchips
- Pets must be at least 12-weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine.
- Dogs should be leashed, and cats should be in carriers.
- Have your legal ID ready for registration.
- Please remain in your vehicle throughout the process.
- Look for our team members in yellow vests for assistance.
- Follow the directions provided by our staff for smooth traffic flow.
- A team member will handle paperwork at your car.
- You may need to hold your pet during vaccination; our staff will guide you on the best approach.
- After vaccination, you'll receive a rabies certificate with the tag taped to it (yellow paper). This sheet will also list any other vaccines your pet receives.
- Keep the certificate in a safe place where you can easily find it.
- Occasionally pets make have a reaction to vaccines. We will provide information at the clinic for what to look for and where to go for help, should your pet show signs of a reaction.