The time of year is here again for rabies shots, as required by the Alabama Department of Health.

Dogs and cats ages 3 months and older are required by law to get vaccinated yearly against the rabies virus.

Residents can come to one of Limestone County’s low-cost rabies clinics being offered June 8, 9 and 10. Cost is $12. Participants should arrive on time because the clinic will end for the day when the vaccine runs out.

Limestone County Rabies Officer Dr. Robert Pitman said the rabies virus around this area is carried primarily by skunks and raccoons. However, with subdivision and housing developments encroaching the wildlife habitat, there are more chances for exposure.

“Within the last year there’s been two cases in Shelby County,” he said. “There was a case where a dog was fighting with a rabid raccoon, and it’s (cases) like that where we’re going to get exposures.”

Pitman said if a pet is infected with rabies, it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to show or they can begin as early as two days. The rabies vaccine is designed to act as a barrier against animals in the wild, he said.

“If your dog gets out at night and encounters a rabid raccoon and he’s had the vaccine, more than likely you’ll never know he had the encounter,” Pitman said. “But if he doesn’t have the vaccine and gets in a fight with a raccoon, he’s going to get rabies.”

If a person is infected with the virus, he or she must receive a series of shots that can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $2,000, Pitman said.

“If you were bitten today, we’ll know within 24 hours (if the animal tests for rabies),” Pitman said. “If it comes back positive, you have time to take the shots to prevent you from getting an active case of rabies.”

Vaccines are $12 and the schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 8 (8-9 a.m.)

• Athens High School

• East Limestone School

• Tanner School

• Clements School

Friday, June 9 (8-9 a.m.)

• West Limestone School

• Elkmont Rural Village

• Owens School

• Piney Chapel School

Saturday, June 10 (8-10 a.m.)

• Town and Country Animal Hospital

• Limestone Veterinary Clinic