Dog Licenses Now Available
Dog Licenses Now Available
Town clerk Cindy Curtis Simon advises Newtown dog owners that dogs six months of age and over must be licensed annually during the month of June. The new (2002) licenses will be available beginning on Friday, June 1, at the Town Clerkâs office, which 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 and, 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. The 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, ownerâs name, phone number, address, dogâs name, breed, age of dog, color markings, and sex of dog. You may also send or bring to the office a self-addressed stamped envelope to have a reminder sent to you next year at this time.
The Town Clerkâs office, in cooperation with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, will once again be conducting a low cost anti-rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 2, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium. Dr Rosemarie Cherrie 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 1994, 4,564 animals have tested positive for rabies. In 2000 alone, 244 animals tested positive for rabies in Connecticut. These included 7 cats, 148 raccoons, 79 skunks, 3 foxes, 4 woodchucks, 1 dog, 1 horse, and 1 rabbit.
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 your pets from this virus. Protecting your pets also helps to maintain a barrier between humans and possible rabid wildlife.
The No. 1 dog tag for Newtown will be drawn from all dogs licensed by June 30. So, be sure and license your dog during the month of June. For more information, call the Town Clerkâs office at 270-4210.