Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Will Again Offer Free Rabies Vaccinations with the Purchase of a Pet License

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 10, 2017

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) will again hold rabies vaccination clinics the third Sunday of the 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 regularly 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 County pet 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 16
• May 21
• June 18
• July 16
• August 20
• September 17

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. All intact cats and dogs will be required to purchase a three-year license unless it is a juvenile or the 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.

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: 17-439
Media Contact: Lucille Baur 240-777-6507, Katherine Zenzano 240-773-5656