Date: Fri 16-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Rabies-vaccine-clinic

Full Text:

Pet Vaccine Clinic Draws A Crowd At Edmond Town Hall

If you tried to nose your way into the line outside the Edmond Town Hall

gymnasium last Saturday, you were likely to get a whap in the face, or at

least a hiss. That's what curious puppies found out when they would not be

deterred from investigating the multitude of meowing boxes that surrounded

them at the Newtown Rabies Clinic.

The event was sponsored by the town clerk's office and the Connecticut

Veterinary Medical Association. This year 81 dogs and 114 cats were

inoculated, and 48 dogs were licensed. The weather seemed to be a factor in

turn out, which was low compared to last year's total of 248 vaccinated

animals.

Volunteers who contribute their time at the event each year include Dr Larry

Washington of Newtown Animal Clinic and Dr Brian Silverlieb of Mt Pleasant

Hospital for Animals, who both inoculated the animals, and Newtown Women's

Club members, who wrote out the rabies certificates. The staff of the town

clerk's office licensed dogs at the clinic.

"A good portion of those who come to the Rabies Clinic are regulars. One

gentleman at the beginning of the line comes every year, but some people you

don't see for three years [at a time]," said Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon.

Owners who showed proof of prior vaccination were eligible to receive a

three-year rabies certificate. "A rabies certificate is required in order to

get a dog license; it's the state's only way to make sure people are complying

with [the law that mandates] rabies shots."

State law requires all cats and dogs three months of age or older be

vaccinated against rabies.

For anyone who missed out on the Newtown clinic, Fido and Fluffy can still get

a low-cost ($9) rabies shot at clinics in Ridgefield or Trumbull on May 31.

For information on these upcoming clinics, contact the Rabies Clinic Infoline

at 860/561-1911.

Photos by Andrea Zimmermann