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Dear Doctor:
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has completed another year, one that has been very challenging for our customers as they and their clients cope with changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am hopeful that 2022 will bring some normalcy back to your business.
Online Portal in 2022
Next year, our online portal is scheduled to go live and will allow you to order and purchase tags as well as submit rabies observation forms digitally. Purchases will be completed with a credit card or by using ACH.
Through the portal, you will also be able to either submit batch entries of rabies certificates electronically in a more user-friendly format or, for smaller customers, submit individually.
We will have staff ready to help answer your questions to ensure a smooth transition as we move forward with the launch. We’ve heard your feedback regarding our current process and are excited to launch the portal to streamline our services and make them more accessible.
Rabid Bat Cases
We continue to see rabid bats throughout Cook County and about half are found in the City of Chicago. Most bats are found inside residences. For this reason, we urge you to make sure indoor cats are vaccinated against rabies.
Because of COVID-19, many of our clients have let rabies vaccinations slip. Please remind them of the continued presence of rabies in our communities and the importance of ensuring pets are current on their vaccinations.
Dates to remember:
- Unused 2021 tags must be returned in numerical order with proper paperwork (more information below) between January 3 and January 31, 2022. Please use your credit early in the year to avoid losing it. August 30, 2022 is the last day our department will honor credits for your account.
- 2022 tags are available to order. They may not be used before January 1, 2022.
- February will remain spay/neuter month. Forms must be submitted between March 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022.
Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2022.
I am sincerely yours,
 Thomas J. Wake, DVM, Administrator.
2022 Rabies Tag Orders
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2022 rabies tags are available to order. Click the link below for more information and to complete the order form.
- Use 2021 tags for vaccinations given until December 31, 2021.
Spay and Neuter Rebate Program
Our Spay and Neuter Rebate Program is held annually each February and provides a $40 rebate to animal hospitals and clinics for any spay or neuter services provided during that month to Cook County residents.
Packages for 2022 Spay and Neuter Rebates must be submitted between March 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022.
Program Updates for 2021
Please review the following program updates and dates. Click the blue buttons within each section for current forms, dates and other information.
2021 Rabies Tag Credits
Return unused 2021 rabies tags for credit. ARC will begin accepting unused 1-year and 3-year rabies tags between January 3-31, 2022.
Follow these guidelines for faster processing:
- Complete the 2021 Rabies Tag Credit Form below and include this paperwork with your return.
- A maximum of 150 tags can be returned for credit and can be a combination of 1-year and 3-year rabies tags.
- Tags must be in numerical order. We recommend using paperclips or rings to keep them organized.
- Return tags in a padded envelope or box with proper packing materials. Tag credits will not be issued if the package arrives open or damaged.
- Hospitals and clinics will receive a statement in the mail when tags have been processed and credits become available to use. A letter with credit information will be mailed by March 15, 2022. Please wait until your credits become available before using them in new tag orders.
- Do not mail tag returns and new tag order requests together. These items need to be mailed separately.
- 2021 credits not used by August 31, 2022 will be discarded.
- Refunds for returned tags are only available to hospitals or clinics that have closed.
For more information on rabies tag credits and where to mail unused tags, visit the Rabies Tag Sales webpage.
ACE Program
The ACE program is a great solution for hospitals who would like to submit rabies certificates to our office electronically. If you are interested in participating in the ACE program, call your software vendor and ask about the ability to export data. Once enrolled in the ACE program, hospitals will not have to mail paper certificates to the office.
Please call Samantha May at (708) 974-6148 with any questions.
Rabies Certificates
In our efforts to maintain accurate and up-to-date data for companion animals, hospitals are required to submit rabies certificates to our office every 14 days as required by the Cook County Ordinance. Hospitals and clinics using the ACE program must submit electronic certificates by the 10th of the following month.
Changes in Hospital/Clinic Ownership
If animal hospitals or clinics within Cook County undergo a change in ownership, please notify Animal and Rabies Control as soon as possible.
A new account must be set up for all new owners in order to purchase rabies tags. Please call Jennifer Hawkins at (708) 974-6382 to update owner information or if there are any questions.
Please note: New owners cannot use the previous owners account or remaining rabies tags. No credit can be given to new owners returning previous owners rabies tags.
About this List: You are receiving this message because you are a veterinarian or with an animal hospital or clinic in Cook County or that serves Cook County residents. Please use the Manage Subscriptions link below to be removed from this subscription list or use this link to add others in your office to this list.
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