Sparta announces free rabies clinic for cats and dogs

Sparta — The Sparta Township Health Department, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Department of Health, will hold a free Rabies Prevention Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 20., at the Dept. of Public Works, 15 Prices Lane, Sparta. Dogs will be vaccinated from 3 to 4 p.m. Cats will be vaccinated from 3 to 4 p.m. (Snow date is Jan. 27.) State law requires that dogs be properly vaccinated against rabies prior to the issuance of a dog license. Cats also must have a current rabies vaccination before they can be licensed. Dogs and cats that had their vaccination in 2004 will now need their three -year vaccination. The vaccination is effective for a three-year period if the dog/cat has had an initial rabies vaccination. Dogs and cats that were less than one year old and vaccinated last year will also need to be re-vaccinated. Sparta residents can purchase dog/cat licenses for 2007 at the clinic. The fee for each dog license will be $8.20 plus $3 if the dog has not been spayed or neutered. The fee for each cat license will be $7 plus $3 if the cat has not been spayed or neutered. The health department requests that 2007 licenses be paid for by check.