For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) will again hold rabies vaccination clinics once a month from April through September. The vaccinations are free with the purchase of a Montgomery County Pet License. Maryland law requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of four months be continuously vaccinated against rabies. Also by law and beginning at that age, all dogs and cats must have a Montgomery County Pet License. A license can only be obtained with proof of a current rabies vaccination. Failure to vaccinate an animal as required may subject the owner to a $500 fine. Failure to have a license is subject to a $100 fine. The clinics will be held at the MCASAC located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Bring proof of previous rabies vaccinations. All dogs must be leashed and cats and ferrets must be in carriers or otherwise contained. Public parking at the MCASAC is limited. Clinics will be held on the following Sundays: • April 17 • May 15 • June 19 • July 17 • August 21 • September 18 At the clinics, the rabies vaccinations will be administered by a participating veterinarian at no charge for dogs and cats owned by residents of Montgomery County. There will be a minimal $4.00 charge for ferrets and out-of-county pets. County residents, as well as residents of the City of Rockville and the City of Gaithersburg, will be required to purchase a pet license if their pet is not currently licensed. Owners of all intact cats and dogs will be required to purchase a three-year license unless your pet is a juvenile or receiving its first vaccine. For a $10 fee, microchip implantation for dogs and cats will also be offered at the clinics to pets with valid rabies vaccination and pet license. Every year in Montgomery County, an average of 40 animals are confirmed to be rabid by laboratory analysis. While most are wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, and bats, there have been several rabid cats in the County over the last five years. Rabies found in cats in our County is of great concern because it shows the disease is migrating from the wild animal population into domestic animals. Once the domestic animal population is affected by rabies, it is far more likely that humans will be exposed. The best way to protect our community, and particularly our children, is to ensure that all dogs and cats have a current rabies shot and are licensed with the County. If your dog or cat already has a current rabies vaccination and all you need is a Montgomery County pet license, you can avoid waiting in line at a clinic, by taking advantage of the County’s online pet license-purchasing option. More information is available about pet licensing and rabies vaccinations at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices. Release ID: 16-133 Media Contact: Lucille Baur 240-777-6507

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