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We always remind people to stay up to date on vaccinations, specifically Rabies, and there is a
new protocol under 330 CMR 10. Briefly, there is no longer a “Primary Service” of vaccinations
for dogs and cats. Dogs and cats receiving their first shot are considered current for vaccination
28 days after one shot, and it will be for a period of one year. Dogs and cats with proof of a prior
vaccination at a previous point in their lives are considered currently vaccinated immediately
upon receiving a shot, and it will be valid for the longest period on the Rabies product label.
There are other interesting changes pertaining to quarantines/quarantine durations, so it would be
advisable to speak with your veterinarian for complete information.

Animal Control Officers are now required to complete annual training updates. We attended the
courses in July, 2016 and were made aware of many revisions sponsored by the Mass Animal
Fund. One important change concerns tie-outs and/or tethering of animals to stationary objects
and confinement restrictions regarding physical sizes and parameters of tie out equipment,
attachments, etc. Specifics available under Chapter MGL 140 Section 174E are too extensive to
reproduce here.

We are still operating on a temporary basis with an out of town provider for holding any dogs we
pick up. This is a very active new location still being built out by the proprietor and promises to
be an attractive facility. We hope to finalize a mutually satisfactory contract situation later this
year as the arrangement appears to be very workable at this time. Boxfordians are to be
congratulated on their general attentiveness to retrieval of their animals. Many are reunited
within hours, sometimes even minutes, after they have called our Communications Center and
list the animals as missing with our excellent dispatchers.

I have provided a couple of useful telephone numbers of Mass Animal Fund personnel/functions
which may be of help with new assistance programs for spay/neuter, etc. Further info also on
HTTP://MASSANIMALFUND.COM

Lauren Bilfeather Sheri Gustafson Elsie Colon
Mass Animal Program Fund Mass Animal Fund MDAR Rabies Program
Coordinator Spay/Neuter Community Coordinator
617-626-1790 Liaison 617-626-1810
Lauren.gilfeather@state.ma.us 617-626-1740 elsie.colon@state.ma.us
sheri.gustafson@state.ma.us

Thanks to our excellent Communications Center personnel and to back-up Assistant ACO Reed
Wilson!

Sincerely, Helen L. Phillips

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