Dogs (and cats) have their day at Wareham rabies clinic

Apr 24, 2018

Roughly 100 pet owners turned out to take advantage of a low-cost rabies clinic held Tuesday at the Tremont Nail Factory. Sponsored by the Wareham Department of Natural Resources Animal Control Division, in conjunction with Brockton-based J.M. Pet Vet, the event offered rabies vaccines for $14 per shot.

“We do this as a community service,” said J.M. Pet Vet President Jeni Mather, noting that the reduced price doesn’t cover the company’s expenses. “We want to see as many people as possible get their pets vaccinated.”

Mather said this was the first year the company held a clinic in Wareham. The Department of Natural Resources' ability to draw a crowd was impressive, she said.

“We’ve been doing clinics for years in other communities, but animal control here was phenomenal about spreading the word,” she said. “We never have this many people.”

Ricky Morse, of Buzzards Bay, arrived with his daughter, wife and Old English Mastiff, Nala, to the clinic. He said having it nearby was convenient.

“This is our first time coming,” he said. “We’re always working and never have time to get to the vet.”

Leashed dogs and crated cats waited with their owners outside of J.M. Pet Vet’s mobile veterinarian hospital. Inside, the procedure lasted a few moments.

“They don’t even know it’s happening,” said veterinarian Michelle Brown.

Rabies shots were provided as well as services, such as nail trimming, microchipping and others, for a fee.

Under Massachusetts state law, all dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. For more information on getting a vaccine, visit http://jmpetresort.com.