AIKEN --- April isn't bringing just spring showers this year.
Low-cost rabies vaccinations for pets are also on the way.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control will offer cheap vaccinations every Saturday beginning this Saturday through May 3 in Aiken County.
Health officials say 400 people in the state every year have to be treated for rabies prevention after being bitten or scratched by a pet or wild animal that has either been confirmed to have the fatal disease, or is suspected of being infected.
There were 162 cases of rabies in South Carolina last year in 45 counties, including Aiken. Those cases included 92 raccoons, 32 foxes, 14 skunks, 10 bats, seven cats, three dogs, two bobcats and two cows.
The medical treatment for humans for rabies costs about $1,000, according to health officials, while the cost to vaccinate pets during the low-cost clinics is $3.
Reach Sandi Martin at (803) 648-1395, ext. 111, or sandi.martin@augustachronicle.com.
RABIES VACCINATIONS
APRIL 5
| TIME | LOCATION |
| 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Family Pet Practice, 3834 Dyches Road |
| 8-11 a.m. | Aiken Animal Hospital, 1219 S. Boundary |
| 9-11 a.m. | Aiken Co. Animal Shelter, 411 Wire Road |
| 9-10 a.m. | New Holland Fire Department |
| 1-3 p.m. | Wagener Old Town Hall Site |
| 4-5 p.m. | Salley Civic Center |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | Scruffy Paws Grooming, 155-B Edgefield Road |
APRIL 12
| TIME | LOCATION |
| 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Family Pet Practice |
| 9-11 a.m. | North Augusta Magistrate's Office, 537 Edgefield Road |
| 9 a.m. to noon | Veterinary Services, 1721 Whiskey Road |
| 1-3 p.m. | Center Fire Department, Columbia Highway |
| 1-3 p.m. | Windsor Recreation Center |
| 3-4 p.m. | Petticoat Junction |
APRIL 19
| TIME | LOCATION |
| 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Family Pet Practice |
| 9-11 a.m. | SPCA, Wire Road |
| 1-3 p.m. | Masonic Shopping Center, Graniteville |
| 1-3 p.m. | Town Creek Baptist Church |
| 3-4 p.m. | Southeast corner of Old Aiken Road and U.S. Highway 1 |
APRIL 26
| TIME | LOCATION |
| 8-11 a.m. | New Ellenton Civic Center |
| 10 a.m. to noon | Second Baptist Church of Beech Island |
| 2-4 p.m. | Jackson Town Hall, 106 Main St. |
| 2-4 p.m. | Langley Community Center, 2724 Augusta Road |
MAY 3
| TIME | LOCATION |
| 9 a.m. to noon | Aiken Veterinarian Clinic, 1316 Richland Ave. E. |
| 2-4 p.m. | Bath Water Works, 115 School Road |
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