Pets can be an extension of your family... and that's why many folks in our area are protecting their own.

The Lowndes County Animal Shelter held its Annual Rabies and Microchip Clinic on Saturday.

Hundreds of people leashed up their four-legged friends to get vaccinated against rabies.

Vets say the disease is very prevalent in our area, so pet owners must remember to do their part.

"I mean, animals are like your family. It's your child and so you want to take care of them like you do yourself because they're first. If you opt to have a dog, then you want to take care of them," said Minnie Gordon, who brought two of her dogs to get rabies shots.

Rabies is an acute viral disease of the central nervous system that affects humans and other mammals.

Georgia law requires pets to get rabies shots annually.