West Cook News

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) is set to commence its 2025 Partners in Prevention clinics starting Saturday, April 5. These clinics, running through October, are organized in collaboration with local animal agencies to provide low-cost or free 1-year rabies and distemper vaccinations and microchips. The initiative aims to connect pet owners with local organizations for year-long pet care services.

President Toni Preckwinkle of the Cook County Board plans to attend the first clinic at the River Grove American Legion, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to noon on April 5. The location is 8664 Grand Ave., River Grove, IL 60171. Details of additional clinics slated for the upcoming months will be announced soon.

For 2025, over three dozen clinics are expected. ARC utilized data from Cook County’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to determine some clinic locations. The SVI analyzes various community aspects such as socioeconomic status, demographic details, language skills, housing, and transport availability. This approach ensures clinic placements align with Cook County's efforts to provide equitable healthcare services.

"This program provides affordable and even free critical vaccines and other services to pets throughout Cook County," stated President Preckwinkle. "I am grateful to the County’s partners for coming together to safeguard our pet population."

ARC stresses the importance of rabies vaccinations, highlighting the virus's fatal nature in unvaccinated pets. "Providing free or low-cost access to rabies vaccines is one way the County limits transmission," said ARC Administrator Mamadou Diakhate. In the previous year, over 6,000 rabies vaccines and more than 3,600 microchips were administered to local pets, according to Diakhate.

The following organizations are partnering with ARC for the rabies vaccine and microchip clinics:

- Anti-Cruelty

- Chicago Animal Care and Control

- Chicago Wolves

- Evanston Animal Shelter

- Heartland Animal Shelter

- Mutts of the Midway

- One Tail at a Time

- South Suburban Humane Society

- Tree House Humane Society

For a complete list of rabies vaccine and microchip clinics, view the interactive map at www.cookcountyil.gov/service/low-cost-rabies-clinic.