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North Adams Hosting Rabies Clinic for Affected Neighborhood
08:26PM / Monday, July 11, 2016
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city is sponsoring a free rabies vaccination clinic for the Chase Hill neighborhood after a cat last month tested positive for rabies.

According to city officials, the infected cat spent its time outdoors and was from the Chase Hill area. It tested positive on June 2.

In response, the city, Animal Fund, state Departments of Agricultural Resources and Public Health, the Berkshire Humane Society, Animal Dreams, Second Chance Animal Shelter of Shaftsbury, Vt., Greylock Animal Hospital, Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital, and animal control officers are working in collaboration to offer free rabies vaccination, microchip identification, and spay/neuter services to cats and dogs in the affected area.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the neighborhood and the community," said Mayor Richard Alcombright in a release. "I want to thank all of our state and local partners for coming together to provide these services as we collectively pool resources in this effort to protect public and animal health."

Rabies is a contagious viral disease that infects the central nervous system and can cause death within days. It is usually transmitted through wild animals but unvaccinated domestic animals like cats and dogs can also be infected.

More than 1,000 possible cases were submitted to the state Department of Health in the first six months of this year but only about 5 percent tested positive for the disease. Most positives were from skunks and raccoons, although two cats tested positive. The state requires all cats, dogs and ferrets to be vaccinated every three years.

More information on rabies and pets is available here.

The clinic will be held on Thursday, July 14, for all owned cats and dogs living within a half mile of Chase Hill, which is located on the east side of Houghton Street. Nearby streets include Chase Avenue, Houghton, North Holden and the west side of Bracewell. Microchip identification also will be available for cats.

The clinic will be open from noon until 6  p.m. at 81 River St. No appointments are needed. All animals brought for vaccination and/or microchipping must be kept under the owner's control with dogs on a leash and cats in secure carriers.

Information about the availability of free spay and neuter services and a sign up will also be available at the event.

Because unvaccinated stray and feral cats can contribute to the spread of rabies, following the free clinic, trapping of outdoor cats will take place in the area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 15-17. Trapped cats will be rabies vaccinated, spayed/neutered, ear tipped and then released back to their trapping locations. If you own a cat in the area, you are asked to please keep your cat inside during those days.

If you feed outdoor cats in that area, call 413-997-2287 so that the cats you feed can benefit from these free services as well.

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