By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Savings are in store for local pet owners March 7 when St. John Parish Health Unit and Riverlands Animal Hospital will sponsor their annual St. John Parish Animal Rabies Vaccination Campaign.

The $8 shot fee during the campaign is offered at a steep discount from the $14 the vaccination costs throughout the year, meaning savings for people who have multiple pets can really add up.

There will be eight locations — some of which have changed from last year — set up across St. John the Baptist Parish where residents will be able to have their pets vaccinated.

In LaPlace, vaccinations will be available from 8 until 8:50 a.m. at Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse on West 5th Street, from 9 until 9:20 a.m. at Super Foods Grocery on River Road, from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m. at the entrance of River Forest Subdivision and from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. at Matherne’s Supermarket on Airline Highway.

In Reserve, vaccinations will be available from noon until 12:50 p.m. at East St. John Elementary School on Airline Highway.

In Garyville, vaccinations will be available from 1 until 1:30 p.m. at the Garyville Post Office, and in Edgard vaccinations will be available from 2 until 2:20 p.m. at Club Grocery and then at Duck’s Ice Inc. starting at 2:30 p.m.

More than 300 animals were vaccinated last year during the annual campaign.

Dr. Joseph Garon Jr. of Riverlands Animal Hospital previously said the day “allows the residents of St. John Parish easy access at a discounted rate to keep their pets protected against rabies.”

Garon added that people, as well as animals, are susceptible to rabies and by residents vaccinating their pets they are also protecting their families and neighbors.

For more information, call Riverlands Animal Hospital at 985-652-6369.