Saturday Session Will Be One-Stop For Dog Licenses,

Rabies Shots At Edmond Town Hall Gym

Newtown dog owners can take advantage of a special session being offered Saturday to get their dog licenses and rabies shots at the same time. Cat owners will not be left out, since local felines are also invited to the low-cost rabies clinic on that day.

The town clerk’s office will be conducting a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 3 pm at the Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium. There are no residency requirements.

Those attending Saturday’s low-cost rabies clinic may also purchase the new 2006 dog licenses at that time. Public Act 91-46 requires all cats and dogs three months of age or older to be vaccinated against rabies.

Although rabies is rare among humans, it is almost always fatal.

The virus, in the saliva of infected animals, enters a victim through a skin puncture or open wound, and it affects the central nervous system. Rabies moved up the East Coast in 1991 and has been detected in every town in the state.

Since then, more than 5,000 animals test positive in Connecticut, and of these, nearly 4,000 have been raccoons and around 1,000 have been skunks. The remaining several hundred cases have been confirmed in cats, foxes, woodchucks, cows, dogs, horses, sheep, coyote, goats, squirrel, deer, otter, ferret, bobcat, and rabbit.

It can be legitimately argued, however, that these numbers represent only a percentage of the total, due to the fact that not all animals suspected to have rabies are tested after their deaths. Members of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association donate their time to the clinics as a public service in order to help protect the health of Connecticut’s residents and their pets.

The cost is $15 — cash only — per animal. Due to the increasing incidence of rabies, written proof of prior vaccination for rabies or a current dog license must be presented to qualify for a three-year certificate. The rabies certificate must be presented; tags are not acceptable.

A one-year certificate will be given to all others. This is in compliance with the Directive of the State Veterinarian.

State law requires that all pets vaccinated for the first time in 2005 must be vaccinated again in 2006; check your pets’ rabies vaccination certificates for the expiration date.

Collar tags and certificates of vaccination will be provided as required by law. All dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.

And if a dog’s shots are already up-to-date but the dog is unlicensed, Ms Simon reminds dog owners that all dogs six months of age and over must get licensed annually during the month of June. The new 2006 licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

The State of Connecticut requires that all dogs must have rabies vaccinations. Therefore, when licensing a dog it will be necessary to present a current rabies vaccination certificate and if licensing a dog for the first time, it will be necessary to present the spaying or neutering certificate in order to obtain the lower license fee.

The fees are $8 for a neutered male or spayed female and $19 for others. Licenses may be ordered by mail by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order for the proper amount and the following information: rabies certificate, spay or neuter certificate, owner’s name, phone number, address, dog’s name, breed, age of dog, color markings, and sex of dog.

Residents may also send or bring to the office a self-addressed stamped envelope to have a reminder sent next year at this time.

During the first week of July, the town clerk will be drawing a license from all those that have registered through June 30 to determine who will be the #1 Dog of Newtown. Any dog licensed in June can qualify for the honor, and the special doggy goodie basket that is presented to the #1 dog and his or her master.

For additional information on licensing or the rabies clinic, contact the town clerk’s office at 270-4210.