PORT CHARLOTTE — Southwest Florida Spay Neuter Services is offering free rabies vaccinations for pets that are scheduled for spay or neuter appointments this week, until Wednesday, September 30. This promotion coincides with World Rabies Day on Monday and aims to encourage pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies.
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Recently, both Charlotte and Sarasota counties have experienced rabies advisories linked to raccoons. The Florida Department of Health warns that rabies can be present in wildlife and can be transmitted to unvaccinated pets. Florida law mandates that owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinate their pets to prevent the spread of rabies, which can be transmitted through animal bites or saliva. Symptoms in infected animals may include unusual friendliness or aggression.
SWFL Spay Neuter Services, founded by veterinarian Kerstin Martin del Campo in 2024, is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing spay and neuter services for companion animals to combat pet overpopulation. Martin del Campo emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, stating, “Spaying and neutering is an important part of responsible pet ownership, and pairing it with rabies vaccination gives families another opportunity to protect their pets and their family. We want to make it as easy as possible for pet owners to keep our community safe.”
The clinic operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, located at 941-D S. Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. For further details, visit swflspay.org.