Bedford Reminds Residents Of Rabies Clinic

BEDFORD, MA — The Bedford Board of Health is reminding residents to keep pets safe and healthy by getting them vaccinated for rabies. The Bedford Board of Health will be hosting a Rabies Clinic for Cats and Dogs on April 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The clinic will be held at the Bedford DPW building at 314 Great Road and will be open to Bedford Residents. Use the DPW entrance closest to the American Flag, the clinic entrance will be in the garage located on the side of the building.

The clinic is $10 and officials request you use cash and have exact change. Registration forms can be completed onsite at the clinic or filled out ahead of time, found on the Board of Health website.

Countryside Veterinarian Hospital will be onsite to distribute rabies vaccines to cats and dogs. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carries. Bring a copy of your animals most recent rabies certificate so the veterinarians will know which rabies vaccine is required for your pet (rabies tags will not be accepted).

Rabies is a disease affecting all mammals, including humans, caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, specifically the brain. The disease is spread through the saliva of an infected animal by a bite, scratch or if the saliva gets into a person or animal’s eyes, nose or mouth. This disease can be fatal to both humans and animals. It is important animals be vaccinated and you seek medical advice for any potential rabies exposure (either human or animal).

Massachusetts law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies. The law requires the vaccinations be administered by the time the animal is six months old and updated as they expire for the life of the pet. Vaccines are effective for one or three years depending. Reported rabies cases with the highest number of human exposures involve rabid domestic animals, which is why it is cr