Schedule your pet's rabies vaccination appointment; microchips help reunite pets & owners

The new year is upon us and let this be your annual reminder to license your pets. Normally, I would have a schedule for you of free rabies vaccine clinics to be held within all the municipalities, but so far there has been no notice from the Cumberland County Health Department.

I did however find a schedule for Salem county residents. For details, visit health.salemcountynj.gov/environmental/rabies-zoonosis-control.

Regardless of the availability of free clinics, the licensing requirements are still in effect throughout the state.

If you can’t get an appointment or need a low-cost alternative to your regular veterinary clinic, you may be able to have your pet vaccinated at locations such as:

  • People For Animals, 1001 N. High St., Millville, (856) 243-5211, pfaonline.org/millville.

  • PetVet Clinics/VIP Petcare at Tractor Supply stores, visit www.tractorsupply.com for clinic times and information.

More: Animal shelters, rescue groups see early donations from campaign honoring Betty White

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If you visit any clinic other than the free county clinics, consider having your pet microchipped! I cannot stress the importance of this enough. We just had a very complicated situation over a little dog that was impounded by animal control whose owner had no proof of ownership.

There was no identification tag on the dog, no microchip, no veterinary paperwork linking the dog to the person, no license and no proof of sale or adoption. As per state law, the animal control officer could not allow anyone to reclaim the dog without providing some sort of proof.

The owner ended up having to get notarized paperwork from the former owner stating that the dog had been given to him. The poor dog ended up having to spend the night in the shelter while all this was being sorted out.

This was a miserable ordeal for everyone involved in trying to reunite the dog with his people. What should have been an easy five-minute process of identifying the dog and signing a reclaim statement, turned into almost 24 hours of frustration.

Sadly, these legal precautions have become necessary in today’s world. Time and time again here at the shelter we have seen pets get caught up domestic disputes and custody battles. We have seen people trying to claim animals that are not theirs because of their value or to use as breeding stock.

You can have a microchip implanted here at the shelter or at any veterinary clinic. When you chip your pet at the shelter, we register your information for you.

If you have it implanted at any other clinic, you probably need to call or go online with the manufacturer to supply your contact info and a description of the pet. If there are any changes in your address or contact numbers, you must also update that with the registry.

If you acquire a dog or cat that has been chipped previously, make sure you get transfer of ownership paperwork and update the chip with your information.

Shelter needs: Canned cat and dog food (pate’ style, if possible), non-clumping cat litter, soft dog treats, string cheese, paper towels, liquid hand soap, and gift cards for pet supply and grocery outlets.

Shelter address: 1244 N. Delsea Drive in Vineland.

For information about fostering, visit https://southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org/volunteer_main/foster.

To submit an adoption form for one of the Pets of the Week or another animal at the shelter, visit https://southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org/forms/adoption-questionnaire.

To volunteer, email the volunteer coordinator at volunteers@sjras.org.

For SJRAS information, call (856) 691-1500 or visit southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org or SJRASVineland on Facebook.

Francesca
Francesca

DOGS OF THE WEEK

Say hello to Bradley! This handsome man is playful and sweet, and has a laid back personality. He's happy going for long walks or just chilling by your side, as long as you have plenty of pets and yummy treats to give. Come meet this good boy today!

Francesca is a 1-year-old pit mix who came to the shelter as a very frightened stray. She is coming along nicely, learning to trust more and becoming more engaging. She is still quite nervous in unfamiliar situations, so a home with small children is not a good match for her. This sweet girl is very young and smart and is ready for the right person to teach her that the world can be a good and trustworthy place. Francesca loves squeaky toys and gets very excited by them. In the right home, Francesca will flourish and become a very good companion.

Millie is a great pup! She is an adorable 3-year-old medium-sized, mix breed. Millie is well-mannered, smart and fun. She has it all, good looks, personality and a good heart. This is a great dog waiting for a loving forever home.

Hanson is a handsome, 2-year-old pit bull terrier. He is an active dog that will need good daily exercise and work on basic doggy manners. Hanson is young, smart and ready to learn.

Reed is a 12-week-old pit bull terrier puppy. This little cutie is currently in foster care so if you would like to meet him, please submit an adoption questionnaire.

Queen is a gorgeous, 2-year-old pit bull terrier. She is a friendly, confident girl with loads of love to give. Queen loves treats and is very food motivated. She is a smart dog who learns fast.

Walter is a nice, 2-year-old pit bull terrier. He is friendly and likes people. Walter is a big boy, weighing in at 68 pounds. All the more to love!

North
North

CATS OF THE WEEK

Pretty Adora wonders why she is at the shelter, when she could be at your house being your new best friend.

Adorable Dove is ready to join your family!

Munchkin is an adult, male, domestic, short-haired cat, who was recently taken in by the Community Outreach program.

North is a handsome young man who is looking for his forever home.

Jericho is a sweet boy who just wants to be loved. He was living life as a stray but now he has a chance to get his own family. He is at the Millville PetSmart. He is fixed, chipped and vaccinated.

Tostito is a handsome, young, male kitten, who is looking for a forever home.

Ozzy Boomer is an adult, male, domestic, short-haired cat, who was recently taken in by the Community Outreach program.

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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Schedule your pet's rabies vaccination appointment