16 cats and 26 dogs received vaccines at the annual rabies vaccination clinic co-hosed by Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals and the Town of Newtown on Saturday, June 14.

The dreary weather Saturday morning did not stop pet owners from lining up with their cats and dogs outside of Newtown Municipal Center. Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead was excited to run the clinic alongside her three Assistant Town Clerks and help locals vaccinate their pets against rabies.

The clinic was open to everyone regardless if they were a Newtown resident. All people needed to get their cat or dog vaccinated was the animal’s current rabies certificate — not tags —to receive a three-year dose. Those without certification still received a one-year dose.

Dr Rakesh Vali, DVM, and Veterinary Technician Mary Simpson of Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals worked together to administer the rabies vaccines.

Vali described rabies as an infectious disease that comes from wildlife. More specifically, it can spread to people and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.

Vali said Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals hosts the rabies vaccination clinic every year with the Town and that it's a pleasure working with them every year. What drives him to come back and help at the clinic, he said, was the community.

"It's a pleasure doing community service," Vali said.

He explained owners will have their pets get vaccinated during their normal routine exams, but sometimes owners miss it or are busy. Since June is also Dog License Month, Vali said Newtown hosts low-cost clinics for people to register their dogs and get them vaccinated against rabies.

Joining those running the vaccination clinic was Municipal Animal Control Officer Emily Whittaker, who said that Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals had always been helpful and incredibly supportive. She also thanked Halstead for her hard work over the decades she has been working the vaccination clinic.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.