Dogs, Cats, Ferrets Get Rabies Shots

The Board of Health is sponsoring a rabies clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 7 at the .

The fee is $15 per animal. Vaccinations will be given to dogs from 9 to 11 a.m.

Cats will be vaccinated from 11 a.m. to noon and must be in carriers. Ferrets will be vaccinated from 9 a.m. to noon and also must be in carriers.

Dr. Richard Rodger will administer the vaccinations, which are available to Grafton residents only.

A representative from the Town Clerk’s office will be available from 9 to 11 a.m. to issue dog licenses.

Rabies is an infectious and contagious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If untreated, rabies is considered 100 percent fatal.

To protect the public, unvaccinated dogs and cats that have been exposed to rabies must either be isolated at an animal hospital for three months or destroyed.

Rabies is present in the wildlife population of Massachusetts, although the virus may not be detected in an area for long periods of time. Vaccinating household pets is the best way to prevent rabies and is the law in Massachusetts.

Wildlife experts also suggest you do not approach wild animals.