June Is Here: Time For Dog Licensing, Rabies Clinic

For many, June marks the beginning of summer and a very busy month for graduates and brides. But at the local town clerk’s Office, June is the time everybody gets busy with dog licensing.

It is also typically the month in which Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia conducts the annual low cost rabies clinic for dogs and cats.

On June 1, Ms Aurelia advised all Newtown dog owners that dogs 6 months of age and older must be licensed. The new 2009 licenses are available and can be picked up at the town clerk’s office, Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 4:30 pm.

“The State of Connecticut requires all dogs to have rabies vaccinations, so anyone licensing a dog must present a current rabies vaccination certificate,” Ms Aurelia said in a release. “And if licensing a dog for the first time, owners must present the spaying or neutering certificate in order to obtain a discounted 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.

Owners may also send or bring a self-addressed stamped envelope to the office so a reminder can be sent next year at this time.

To help pet owners save even more, the town clerk’s annual low-cost rabies vaccination clinic has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13, from 10 am to noon, at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium. There are no residency requirements.

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 affects the central nervous system.

“Rabies has been detected in every town in the state, and since 1991, more than 6,000 animals have tested positive in Connecticut,” Ms Aurelia said. “Members of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association are donating their time to this clinic as a public service in order to help protect the health of 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 2008 must be vaccinated again in 2009.

Owners should check their 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 Newtown rabies clinic on June 13 may also purchase the new 2009 dog licenses at that time. Anyone planning to do so is asked to bring spay/neuter certificates to qualify for a lower license fee.

Finally, 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 Newtown’s #1 Dog, so be sure to get your dog licensed during June.

Anyone with questions or requiring further information should call the town clerk’s office at 270-4210.

If it is an added incentive, Newtown residents may want to note that The Newtown Bee will bring back its King & Queen Dog Contest this summer and all entrants will need proof of license and rabies certification.