Mahoning County Public Health, Angels for Animals present first rabies vaccination clinic of the summer

Angels for Animals invites owners of cats, dogs or even ferrets to take a trip to their animal shelter this weekend for a low-cost clinic.

Through sponsorship from Mahoning County Public Health and volunteer services provided by Dr. Jennifer Clipse, Angels for Animals will host a rabies vaccination clinic on Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MCPH requires that all cats, dogs and ferrets older than 3 months must receive rabies vaccinations.

Diane Less, cofounder and general manager of Angels for Animals, said vaccination is important because rabies is a zoonotic disease.

“There are not a lot of things that we can get from animals; there are not a lot of things that dogs can get from cats,” Less said. “However, we do all share one thing, and that is: We can all be in the chain of transmission of rabies virus.”

Located at 4750 W. South Range Road in Canfield, owners can file into Angels for Animals without an appointment for an $8 shot. Owners must have their pets on a leash or in a carrier and supply proof of prior vaccination on or after July 12, 2025, for the three-year booster. Without documentation, pets will only receive the one-year vaccination.

Previous years have seen between one and 200 people at an Angels for Animals rabies vaccination clinic, according to Less, who described it as “such a deal” since owners aren’t paying for anything other than the vaccine.

Less said that the animal shelter has worked closely with MCPH over the years through other services. MCPH wrote in an email statement to Mahoning Matters that it’s fortunate to rely on community partners like Angels for Animals to help with low-cost rabies vaccination clinics.

“We are thankful for the support of not just the host organizations, but also for the veterinarians who are volunteering their time,” MCPH wrote.

Not only is Angels for Animals able to show off its facility, but it can also inform people through this clinic. Less said it’s the key to helping animals in Mahoning County and outside their radius.

“It’s all about the education,” Less said. “Education creates an environment for animals … when you drive down the street and don’t see roaming cats and dogs everywhere. You don’t see dead animals hit in the street. That’s what this all does.”