Coventry Animal Control will be holding its annual rabies clinic at the Coventry DPW town garage (1668 Flat River Rd.) on Sunday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Dogs and cats three months of age or older are eligible for the vaccination that is required by law in Rhode Island. (Dogs must be brought on a leash and cats in a cage.)
Pet owners must show proof of previous rabies vaccination within the last year or the new vaccine will be good for one year only instead of three.
The fee for the shot is $10 and only cash will be accepted.
Click here or view the attached form to pre-register.(Note: Please fill out a separate form for each animal.)
Animal Control Officer Carolyn Lacombe stresses the importance of this vaccination, not only for your pet's safety, but for your family's well-being, also.
"We've had an outpouring of calls reporting animals that are acting rabid," she said. "We're not sure how many might actually have rabies because the state doesn't test for it unless the animal has made contact with a human or another animal."
Just last week, Coventry Animal Control received a report of a dog that was bitten by a woodchuck. After the animal was captured and tested, the results came back positive for rabies. Luckily, the dog was vaccinated, but that isn't always the case.
"Pet owners need to know that if their animal's vaccinations aren't up to date and it gets bitten, we are required to keep the animal under strict confinement for six months," said Officer Lacombe.
Coventry dog owners should also be advised that dog licenses are due and payable in April according to Rhode Island law. Licenses may be obtained Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Office of the Town Clerk at Town Hall (1670 Flat River Rd.). The fee for a license is $8.00.
If a license is to be obtained by mail, residents should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address along with a check or money order payable to the Town of Coventry. The dog's sex, breed, color and name should be specified, along with the birth date of owner and home phone number. A valid rabies certificate must accompany the payment and will be returned.
Dog licenses expire April 30 and new licenses must be purchased on or before that date to avoid a $25 penalty.
Animal Control can be reached at 822-9106 or by email at CPDACO@coventrypd.org.