Haralson County residents treated their pets to a car ride during Tuesday afternoon’s warm and sunny weather. For many pets, the car ride included a brief stop at the Haralson County Animal Shelter for a quick rabies vaccination, ending in peace of mind and compliance with the law for local pet owners.

The Animal Shelter hosted a drive-though rabies clinic sponsored by Lucky Paws, a humane society based in Tallapoosa. The clinic lasted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Residents pulled up to the front of the animal shelter and waited in their cars as local animal control workers placed the pets on a clinic table set up outside the shelter’s main entrance. Johnathan Hatchett, a veterinarian from a practice in Hiram, administered the rabies vaccine while volunteers from Lucky Paws filled out the necessary paperwork for the owner.

The time between pulling up to the clinic and driving off was usually less than 5 minutes, and most pet owners never even had to get out of their cars.

“It’s a drive-though rabies clinic,” said Haralson County Animal Shelter Director Mike Pope. “It works really well.”

The majority of pets vaccinated on Tuesday were dogs, though the clinic did treat a small number of cats.

“We’ve seen a few cats, more dogs though.” said Pope. “The biggest number we had in one vehicle was 11.”

At the clinic, the rabies vaccine only costs $10 per pet, and protects the animal for a year.

“It’s really reasonable compared to the cost at other places,” said Pope.

The low cost has made the Lucky Paws-sponsored clinics popular. By the end of the day Tuesday, 75 pets had been vaccinated. At a previous clinic in May, 169 pets had been vaccinated.

Lucky Pays is planning to host another rabies clinic on Oct. 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Helton-Howland Park in Tallapoosa.

According to state law, dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks old or older must get a rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian.

“[Pets should be vaccinated] once a year unless you can get a three year vaccination,” said Pope. “It’s a state, law so we want to make sure everyone is legal with their animals.”

In addition to working with the animal shelter on rabies clinics, Lucky Paws has also assisted the shelter with the cost of veterinarian care for its animals.

“It’s the humane society that really helps us,” said Pope. “They really help with the costs of some of the vet care. All the animals that come through the shelter have to be spayed and neutered, and if there are some people that can’t afford that, they help offset the cost.”