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Dear Veterinary Partner:
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) has completed another year of servicing Cook County residents and our partner veterinarians. We are encouraged by the participation in the County's Spay and Neuter Rebate Program and are looking to increase participation even more by removing the number of pets per household limit.
ARC is also fully stocked and ready to ship out 2023 rabies tags this month. Additionally, ARC is reinstating the protocol that animals be observed for rabies in person at a hospital. This protocol had been adjusted to reflect safety precautions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we continue to see rabid bats throughout Cook County, about half from the City of Chicago, our department continues to monitor and inform residents through community alerts. Unvaccinated cats are at higher risk of rabies transmission from bats found inside residences. For this reason, we urge you to make sure indoor cats are vaccinated for rabies.
As we move into 2023, we continue to improve our services by implementing a modernized software system and streamlining office operations. The Office continues to grow with the addition of Executive Director Ebonie Taylor.
Dates to remember:
- Unused 2022 rabies tags must be returned in numerical order with proper paperwork and postmarked no later than January 31, 2023. Please use your credit early in the year to avoid losing it. Please be aware that August 31, 2023 is the last day ARC will honor credits for your account.
- 2023 rabies tags may be ordered now. They may not be issued before January 1, 2023. Be sure to anticipate your need for 2022 tags to get through the end of the year. A maximum of 150 tags can be redeemed for credit.
- February is spay and neuter month. Rebates are available to veterinarians and animal hospitals that complete spay and neuter services in Cook County. Forms must be postmarked by March 31, 2023.
Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2023,
 Mark Rosenthal, Deputy Director
 Ebonie Taylor, Executive Director
2023 Rabies Tag Orders
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2023 rabies tags are available to order. Click the link below for more information and to complete the order form.
- Use 2022 tags for vaccinations given until December 31, 2022.
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.
New in 2023: The limit on number of pets per household has been lifted.
Packages for 2023 Spay and Neuter Rebates must be submitted between March 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023.
Program Updates for 2022
Please review the following program updates and dates. Click the blue buttons within each section for current forms, dates and other information.
2022 Rabies Tag Credits
Return unused 2022 rabies tags for credit. ARC will begin accepting unused 1-year and 3-year rabies tags between January 1-31, 2023.
Follow these guidelines for faster processing:
- Complete the 2022 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, 2023. 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, 2023 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.
Rabies Observations
Rabies observation forms must be completed for any rabies observations that your hospital oversees including if the animal is euthanized and a specimen is submitted. Ensure the euthanized/submitted box is checked in this case.
All rabies observation protocols put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic including at-home quarantining and telephoning in updates have ended. Moving forward, if the animal is not current on its rabies vaccination, the animal will need to be observed for 10 days at the animal hospital.
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.
Updating Hospital Emails
ARC is moving towards a paperless environment. If there are new members of your staff or you would like to update the email address electronic messages are sent to, please email Samantha May samantha.may@cookcountyil.gov to be added.
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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