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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: April 25, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM, HEALTH, AND RIVMA TO HOST LOW-COST RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC ON SATURDAY, MAY 3

Pet Vaccination Key to Keeping Safe from Rabies - And It's the Law

PROVIDENCE -Dogs, cats, and ferrets, save the date. On Saturday, May 3, the Department of Environmental Management, the Department of Health, and the RI Veterinary Medical Association will jointly host a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Capitol Hill in Providence. The government plaza may never be the same.

All Rhode Island dog, cat, and ferret owners are eligible to bring their pets to this clinic to be vaccinated. The cost is $10 per rabies vaccination. Providence residents can also renew their dog licenses at this time. The event will be held rain or shine.

Director of Health David R.Gifford, MD, MPH, will bring his dog, Mia, to the clinic for vaccination.

DEM State Veterinarian Scott Marshall, DVM, will vaccinate dogs in the courtyard between HEALTH's building at 3 Capitol Hill and the Department of Administration building at 1 Capitol Hill, while a volunteer veterinarian from the RI Veterinary Medical Association will vaccinate cats in the HEALTH lobby. Volunteers will also hand out educational materials on rabies awareness, control, and public health issues.

Free parking is available in the state parking lot behind the government complex.

Protecting pets from rabies helps to maintain a barrier between humans and rabies in wildlife, and, under state law, dogs, cats, and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies Widespread

Rabid animals have been found in every community in Rhode Island except New Shoreham. Last year, DEM's environmental police office received more than 2,500 rabies-related calls. In addition, approximately 1,200 animal bites were reported to the Department of Health and 285 people were treated with the rabies vaccine in 2007.

Rabies virus is widespread among wildlife in Rhode Island. Approximately1,200 animals in Rhode Island, primarily skunks, bats, and raccoons, have tested positive for rabies since the state's first confirmed case in 1994.

The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal. Rabies is an infection of the brain and nerves and is fatal in humans when untreated; however, treatment of humans soon after exposure is effective in preventing rabies infection.

For more than two decades, the RI Veterinary Medical Association has devoted volunteers and resources each spring to host rabies clinics in nearly every city and town in Rhode Island. The collaboration between veterinarians, town administrators, and animal control officers helps to ensure the vaccination of as many small animals as possible to prevent the spread of the rabies virus.

Already, this spring, the veterinary association has vaccinated more than 1,700 animals at low-cost clinics around Rhode Island.

In addition to vaccinating pets, the following tips from HEALTH and DEM, which have collaborated on a rabies awareness campaign since the early '90s, can help prevent rabies:

  • Keep outside garbage contained and covered;
  • Avoid contact with wild animals and strays;
  • Bat-proof your house
For more information about rabies, visit the visit the DEM website, www.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Topics", then "Public Health." Information is also available on HEALTH's website, www.health.ri.gov, by clicking on "Health Topics," then "Rabies."

For more information about the RI Veterinary Medical Association, a professional association dedicated to advancing the health of animals, providing education and timely information to the community and surrounding states, and promoting the veterinary profession, visit www.rivma.org.

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