The Animal Rescue League of Berks County and Upper Bern Township will host a vaccine clinic for dogs and cats at the Shartlesville Community Park on Oct. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Since July, the ARL said it has assisted in detecting rabies cases in Birdsboro, Wyomissing, Reading and most recently confirming a positive case from Upper Bern Township in the beginning of October. The ARL has also been informed of confirmed cases in Perry Township and Shoemakersville.
During the clinic at the park, 40 N. Fourth St., pets can receive rabies vaccination as well as other protective vaccinations and microchips.
To learn more or register a pet for the clinic, visit berksarl.org/vaccineclinic.
Officials said the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Rabies Tracking Dashboard reports that Berks County is in the region with the highest amount of positive rabies cases this year in the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, rabies is a neurological virus that infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death in 99.9% of human cases if left untreated.
Although 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife — mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes and foxes — the virus can be transmitted to dogs, cats, and cattle who have not received vaccination, the CDC says.
“The most important thing you can do to protect your pet is ensure that they are up to date on their rabies vaccines,” said Dr. Sarah Rivera, ARL chief medical officer.