Vaccine clinic aims to reduce Maine's rabies problem

CUMBERLAND (WGME) -- On Saturday morning, the Midcoast Humane Society hosted their annual rabies vaccine clinic at Cumberland town hall.

The event allowed dog and cat owners from around the area to get their pet a rabies vaccine shot at a heavily discounted price.

"Our goal is to make this lifesaving vaccine affordable and available to people in our community," Lorraine Snyder said, a volunteer for Midcoast Humane.

Snyder has helped out at the pop-up vaccine clinic event for 16 years.

She says that a vaccine is the best form of defense against rabies, and that it will prevent a pet from being put down if attacked.

"If your pet is not vaccinated, unfortunately state statute does recommend that they have to be euthanized," she said. "It's very important for your pet to be vaccinated."

The clinic also offered nail clippings and grooming services.

Snyder says that she hopes the clinic will help address the current rabies outbreak in the Bath and Brunswick area.

For more information on the disease, click here.