The township hosted its annual free rabies clinic on Oct. 25 in Challenge Grove Park, across from the Croft Farm dog park.
While the state’s Department of Health enables municipalities to receive vaccines for free clinics, the local areas themselves do all the advertising and organization. Cherry Hill has offered the clinics for several years.
Katherine Barrett of Evesham Veterinary Clinic was stationed at the park’s pavilion, inoculating dogs against the rabies virus with the help of some clinic technicians who helped keep the animals still as they received the shots.
“We’re making sure everyone’s vaccinated for rabies, since obviously rabies can kill,” said Barrett.
She explained the danger of rabies, not only to an animal’s health, but also to their owners and other humans in the community.
“If your pet gets it, then if they happen to, God forbid, lick you and you have a little cut on your hand,” Barrett noted, “they can transmit it just through their saliva. Them giving you their kisses can transmit it, so protect yourselves by protecting them.”
Before the vaccinations, several township employees got pets registered and licensed with Cherry Hill for the 2026 calendar year, an annual requirement.
The clinic’s location across from the Croft Farm dog park made it convenient for canine owners already there to make their way over and get vaccinated. Dog treats were on hand to calm and reward the animals.
Township resident Eric Johnson brought his dog, a 7-year-old red fox lab named Daisy, after hearing about the clinic on Facebook.
“We basically have been living here in Cherry Hill for a long time,” he said. “So having the facilities and the services available to us, and allowing our dog to take advantage of it like this, has been great. Her health is important to us.”
The clinic was also open to cats, though ferrets and other companion mammals require a different type of vaccine or larger doses. Emma Lindsley, another Cherry Hill resident, brought her two tabby cats, John and Ringo.
“I saw the flyer on the mayor’s weekly newsletter email,” she stated. “I realized I needed to get their rabies vaccinations. I was free today, so I decided to come out. Free vaccines are definitely very helpful, especially when there’s two of them.”
Thirty seven pets were vaccinated during the two-hour clinic and each shot is good for three years. Vaccinations outside of a clinic can cost between $40 and $75 per pet.
