The number of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County has increased to 20.

A domestic cat reportedly made contact with a raccoon Tuesday in the Lula Road area of North Hall. The Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur reported on Thursday that the raccoon tested positive for rabies, according to Hall Animal Control.

With 18 rabid animals in just the first four months of 2008, Hall County has had triple the number of cases it usually has each year.

There have been two so far in May.

The Hall County Humane Society is sponsoring two additional rabies vaccination clinics this month, the first on Saturday at the Wal-Mart on Shallowford Road, the other on May 24 at Jaemor Farms in North Hall.

Both clinics are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Shots cost $10. Dogs and cats must be at least 3 months old and must be restrained on a leash or in a carrier. For information about the clinics, call the Humane Society at 770-532-6617. To report a suspected case of rabies, call Hall County Animal Control at 770-531-6830.