Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinic Held in Upper Bern Township After Recent Case
Published On: 8/28/2025
Last Updated On: 8/28/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
🐱 When the News Hits Close to Home
ARL hosts low cost rabies vaccine clinic berks county PA (Photo courtesy of Berks ARL)
SHARTLESVILLE, Pa: We’ve seen a lot as rescue cats — empty bowls, full hearts, second chances — but “rabies outbreak” still makes our fur stand on end.
So when we heard the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) was stepping up to protect pets in Upper Bern Township after a local positive case of rabies was confirmed, we knew this story mattered. Because behind every vial of vaccine, there’s something bigger: peace of mind for the hoomans we love.
The Details: Rabies Vaccine Clinic in Upper Bern Township
📍 Location: Shartlesville Community Park Vaccine Clinic (40 N 4th St, Shartlesville, PA 19554)
📅 Date: Thursday, October 30
⏰ Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
🐾 Hosted by: The Animal Rescue League of Berks County in partnership with Upper Bern Township
Register online at berksarl.org/vaccineclinic or scan the QR code on the event flyer.
During the clinic, pets can receive rabies shots plus other core vaccines and microchips to help them stay safe and find their way home if lost.
Why It Matters Now
Since July, ARL and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture have detected positive rabies cases in Birdsboro, Wyomissing, Upper Bern, and Reading — with additional confirmed reports in Perry Township and Shoemakersville.
Berks County currently ranks among the highest regions in the state for rabies cases this year (Source: Rabies Tracking Dashboard).
According to the CDC, rabies attacks the central nervous system of mammals and is nearly always fatal if left untreated. While most cases occur in wildlife — raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes — unvaccinated pets are at risk too.
“The most important thing you can do to protect your pet is ensure that they’re up to date on their rabies vaccine”
Dr. Sarah Rivera, Chief Medical Officer of the ARL. (Photo courtesy of Berks ARL)
A Quick Refresher: Rabies in Plain Cat Terms
What is it? A neurological virus that travels from bite wounds to the brain.
Who gets it? Any mammal — that means us cats, dogs, humans, even farm animals.
Why care? Because once symptoms appear, it’s almost always fatal.
How to prevent it? Vaccinate every cat and dog at the recommended interval (usually every 1 to 3 years).
Vaccination isn’t just smart — it’s the law in Pennsylvania.
Who Is the ARL of Berks County?
For more than 70 years, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County has cared for thousands of animals each year — treating the sick, comforting the abandoned, and investigating animal cruelty cases.
They’re a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides:
🐾 Low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine services
🐾 Animal control and humane law enforcement
🐾 Adoption and rehabilitation for over 5,000 animals annually
You can explore their resources at berksarl.org or visit The Cat’s Meow for local news and partnership highlights.
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🐕🐈 What You’ll Find at the Clinic
Animal Rescue League of Berks County Hosting a Vaccine Clinic in Upper Bern Township
Rabies Vaccine (required by PA law)
Distemper combo shots (for cats and dogs)
Microchipping to help lost pets reunite with owners
Education booths with ARL staff and volunteers
💵 Fees are low-cost and help ARL continue its mission across Berks County.
From Our Newsroom: Why This Matters to Us
We remember what it was like to be stray — hungry, unsure, and unprotected. Rabies was a fear that followed every shadow.
So when organizations like ARL show up in our community to offer free or affordable vaccines, it’s not just a clinic — it’s a lifeline.
Protecting pets protects people. It protects wildlife. It builds a healthier, safer Berks County for everyone — two legs or four.
How to Prepare for the Clinic
Bring your pet on a secure leash or in a carrier.
Bring proof of previous vaccination if available (for 3-year coverage).
Arrive early — lines move quickly but spots fill fast.
Be ready for a few happy barks and meows of solidarity.
If your pet is nervous, you can also talk to the ARL team about calming techniques or future appointments.
🐾 Want to Do Even More?
Donate to ARL to support vaccine and spay/neuter programs.
Volunteer for future community clinics or adoption events.
Share this article to help spread awareness — you never know whose pet you’ll save next.
Find upcoming events and rescue stories on The Cat’s Meow.
💌 Bonus for Cat Parents
Want to keep your home fur-free and your cat healthy?
Grab our FREE guide — “3 Cat Hair Hacks Every Cat Parent Needs.”
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
Purrs & Pilates Recap — Cozy Kitty Café, East Stroudsburg PA
What happens when you mix mindfulness, movement, and a few dozen whiskers? 🐱✨
Tomorrow, we’re taking you inside Purrs & Pilates — the sweetest collaboration between Tina Wieland Fitness and Cozy Kitty Café in East Stroudsburg, PA!
From calm stretches and deep breaths to adoptable cats “assisting” with every pose (because who needs personal space, right?), this event was the purrfect blend of wellness and whiskers.
