Humane Society of Harford County Vaccinates 360 Pets in Aberdeen

Harford County recorded nearly 30 confirmed animal rabies cases this year, the highest count of any Maryland jurisdiction. The Humane Society of Harford County held an affordable vaccination clinic on Saturday, October 24, to address the rising threat to local pets and public health.

Volunteers and staff vaccinated 360 animals in the ambulance bay of the Aberdeen Fire Department. The group included 267 dogs, 91 cats, and 2 ferrets. The animals received rabies vaccines along with microchips or additional preventative shots.

Amanda Hickman, the executive director of the Humane Society of Harford County, stated that the high number of positive tests makes vaccination essential. "When nearly 30 animals in our county have tested positive for rabies, the importance of keeping pets vaccinated really hits home," Hickman said. She noted that rising veterinary costs often prevent families from accessing basic preventative services. These clinics help remove that financial barrier.

The line of pet owners extended down North Rogers Street for nearly four hours. The event ran until mid-afternoon. By the end of the day, every animal in the queue had been processed.

The Humane Society administered 300 rabies vaccines during the clinic. They also provided distemper and Bordetella vaccinations for dogs and cats. An additional 36 pets received microchips. These chips increase the likelihood that lost animals are reunited with their owners.

Jones Bel Air Subaru funded the event through its annual Subaru Loves Pets initiative. The dealership provides direct funding to the Humane Society through a grant administered by the ASPCA. This support covers the costs of preparing shelter animals for adoption and offering affordable care to community pets. Representatives from the dealership distributed stuffed Subaru toys to the first 150 dogs in line.

The Harford County Health Department also participated in the clinic. Staff provided educational materials and information about their pilot Oral Rabies Vaccination Program. That initiative aims to immunize thousands of wild raccoons to reduce the spread of the disease throughout the county.

Hickman described the clinics as an important public health resource. "With rabies cases at such concerning levels in Harford County, these clinics are more than a convenience, they’re an important public health resource," she added. The organization aims to keep animals in loving homes while safeguarding the community.

The Humane Society of Harford County is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It shelters approximately 3,000 animals each year. The group is not a county agency and is not affiliated with any national or regional organization. It relies on tax-deductible donations and event proceeds to fund its operations.