All dogs and cats (including so-called ‘barn cats’) are required by law to be vaccinated for rabies at four months of age. For dogs, you also must have tags and a valid license proving the vaccination. 

Hanover Animal Control makes it easy for people to get their pets vaccinated by holding rabies vaccination clinics in the fall and winter. Vaccines will be administered at a cost of $8 per dog or cat.

The first clinic of this fall/winter season will be held on Saturday, October 31, in the parking lot at Patrick Henry High School from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon. The veterinarian is Dr. Scott Nevaiser.

This will be a drive-through type clinic, with the owners and the animals remaining inside the vehicles.

The veterinarian will administer the shots at your vehicle. Only healthy, non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated and only dogs and cats (no wolves or wolf-hybrids). You will be expected to leave the vaccination area as soon as you are done. Put the rabies tags on pet's collar and keep certifications for proof of vaccination.

The vaccination is good for up to three years unless the pet has never had a rabies vaccination before, in which case it is good for one year. Put the rabies tag on the dog’s collar and keep certificates for proof of vaccination.

Patrick Henry High School is located at 12449 W. Patrick Henry Road, Ashland VA 23005.

Hanover County Animal Control hopes to have another rabies vaccination clinic on December 12 at a location yet to be announced; further details on that clinic will be announced at a future time. A third rabies prevention clinic for this season is expected to be held on February 6, 2021 at the East Hanover Rescue Squad.

For more information about rabies or the upcoming rabies vaccination clinics in Hanover County, call Animal Control at 365-6485.