Low Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinic Coming June 23

Town Clerk Cindy Simon advises Newtown dog and cat owners that the town clerk’s office will be conducting a low-cost anti-Rabies vaccination clinic Saturday, June 23, from 8 am to 10 am, at the Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium. There are no residency requirements.

Public Act 91-46 requires all cats and dogs 3 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. It affects the central nervous system. Rabies moved up the East Coast in 1991 and has been detected in every town in the state. So far, more than 5,000 animals have tested positive in Connecticut since 1991. 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. (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 2006 must be vaccinated again in 2007. 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. Those attending the low-cost rabies vaccine clinic may also purchase the new 2007 dog licenses at that time. If planning to do so, please remember to bring your spay/neuter certificate enabling you to pay a lower license fee.

Contact the town clerk’s office for further information at 270-4210.