Following a 50-year tradition, Bulloch County pet owners will be able to have their pets vaccinated against rabies during the upcoming annual rabies clinic.

The event will be held Saturday, May 5, at various locations, said Susannah Martin Lanier, Bulloch County 4-H leader and county extension agent.

"This will be the 52nd annual rabies clinic hosted by Bulloch County 4-H," she said. "We are excited to partner with Southeast Bulloch and Portal FFA chapters this year."

Veterinarian Steve Healy will be administering vaccinations. Retired veterinarian Dr. Billy Nessmith helped conduct the clinics in years past, she said.

There have been eight confirmed cases of rabies in Bulloch County since January 2017, according to Mary Beth Butler, public information officer with the Southeast Health District. Seven were raccoons and one was a bat, she said. Two of the cases were in 2018.

By law, cat and dog owners are required to provide proof of rabies vaccinations for pets. Holding the clinic on a Saturday enables citizens who work during the week to take advantage and get their pets vaccinated at a cost of $12 per animal.

"The Bulloch County rabies clinic is important to our community for many reasons," Lanier said. "It serves as an outreach project for our members to participate in as well as a public safety service. Many people in Bulloch County depend on the rabies clinic to ensure their pet's health on an annual basis."

The clinic travels to a number of places to provide easy access to county residents.

"We are proud to be able to offer this service at various convenient locations throughout the county to maximize participation from the community," she said.

The clinic schedule is as follows: Middleground Store, 8:30-9:15 a.m.; Portal High School, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; the Bulloch County Extension Office on Langston Chapel Road, 10:30-11:15 a.m.; the Brooklet Recreation Department, noon-12:45 p.m.; and Nevils Elementary School, 1-1:45 p.m.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.