Annual Rabies Clinic

Set For June 10

The Town Clerk’s office, in cooperation with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, will once again be conducting a low cost anti-rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 10, from 1 to 3 pm, at Edmond Town Hall gymnasium. Dr Brian Silverlieb and Dr Neal Warner will be administering the vaccinations. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. There are no residency requirements.

The fee is $10, cash only. Pet owners who are on public assistance are permitted to have one pet vaccinated at no charge by showing their State Public Assistance Identification card to the clinic coordinator.

Written proof, either a valid rabies certificate or dog license showing a prior vaccination, must be presented to qualify for a three-year vaccination. Otherwise, a one-year vaccination will be given. Tags are not sufficient proof for a three-year vaccination.

According to Connecticut State Law, all dogs and cats three months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Since the rabies virus moved up the East Coast into Connecticut in 1991, 4,335 animals have tested positive for rabies, including 73 cats and seven dogs. In 1999 alone, 226 animals tested positive for rabies in Connecticut. These included nine cats, 152 raccoons, 67 skunks, three foxes, three woodchucks, and two cows.

The rabies virus in the saliva of infected animals enters a victim through a skin puncture or open wound, affecting the central nervous system. It is fatal to both animals and humans. Post exposure vaccinations are available for humans but must be given before the onset of symptoms since there is no cure once symptoms appear.

Because rabies is a public health threat it is important to protect pets from this virus. Protecting pets also helps to maintain a barrier between humans and possible rabid wildlife.

Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon is reminding Newtown dog owners that dogs six months of age and over must be licensed annually during the month of June. The new licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s office at Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street. The office is open 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. Also, 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.

Fees are $6 for a neutered male or spayed female and $16 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 out next year at this time.

There will be a new twist in the #1 Dog Contest this year. In an effort to collect dog tags from over the years, the Town Clerk’s office is asking people to bring in their old tags. The oldest tag brought in will receive the #1 dog tag. The #2 dog tag will be drawn from the remaining dogs that have been licensed through June 30, 2000. The drawing will be during the first week of July.

If further information is required, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 270-4210.