The Bedford Health Department will be hosting a Rabies Clinic for Cats and Dogs on Saturday, April 8, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00AM. The clinic will take place at the Town Center Building at 12 Mudge Way (Yellow Building) and will be open to Bedford Residents. Participants may park in the Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Parking Lot, closest to the “tot lot” playground. To enter the clinic, please use the kids’ club side entrance door, which is to the right of the white “Recreation Kids’ Club” sign, and near the fenced-in Kids’ Club play yard. During the event there will be signage to direct participants. Pre-registration is required for this event and the registration link may be found at: https://bedfordvaccinationregistration.as.me/RabiesClinic. 

The cost for the vaccine is $10.00 per pet, payable online at: https://www.bedfordma.gov/183/Online-Bill-Payment-Information or with cash (exact change only) at the point of service. As a reminder, the Dog License registration period is from June-August, applications and additional information may be found at -  https://www.bedfordma.gov/280/Dog-Licenses. 

Countryside Veterinary Hospital of Chelmsford will be onsite to administer rabies vaccines to cats and dogs. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carries. If possible, bring a copy of your pet’s past rabies certificate (rabies tags will not be accepted).  Animals with proof of a previous vaccination will receive a vaccine that is valid for up to three years. Animals without proof of a previous rabies vaccination will receive a vaccine that is valid for up to one year.

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 that domesticated animals be vaccinated against rabies. If you or your pet have been in contact with any wildlife or unfamiliar animals, particularly if you’ve been bitten or scratched, you should talk with a healthcare or public health professional to determine your risk for rabies.

Massachusetts law requires dogs, cats and ferrets 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 administered routinely one or three years depending on past vaccination schedule. Reported rabies cases with the highest number of human exposures involve rabid domestic animals which is why it is crucial to keep up with a pet’s rabies vaccination schedule to keep both animals and humans healthy. 

We hope you join us in this important program which helps to ensure animals as well as the general public are protected against the rabies virus. Please contact the Bedford Health Department at 781-275-6507 with any questions.