MARTINS FERRY — Senior Services of Belmont County, Belmont Metropolitan Housing Authority, Redwood Veterinary Hospital and Belmont County Animal Shelter are teaming up to host a rabies and dog tag clinic for housing authority residents on Jan. 16.

The clinic will be at Martins Ferry’s John Laslo Apartments from noon to 1 p.m., Wayne Hays Tower from 1-2 p.m., Selby Apartments from 2-3 p.m. and Hartman Manor from 3-4 p.m.

The clinic is only open to BMHA residents, and services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anyone interested must RSVP by Jan. 10. RSVPs can be made by calling 740-633-5085, ext. 115, or by emailing agwynn@belmontmha.org.

Veterinarian Alyssa Wood of Redwood Veterinary Hospital and staff will be on site to provide required rabies vaccinations for $10 each.

Residents must bring proof of residency or proof of address for the rabies certificate.

Residents who bring certificates from prior rabies vaccines can get a three-year vaccine instead of the one-year vaccine.

According to a press release from BMHA, Redwood Veterinary Hospital can refuse to vaccinate a pet for any reason including if the pet is aggressive or too old or sick to receive a vaccine.

The Belmont County Animal Shelter will assist residents with applying for dog tags at the clinic.

State law requires all dogs 3 months of age and older to have a current tag, and tags must be renewed annually by Jan. 31.

Tags will arrive in the mail seven to 10 days after applying.

For more information about applying for dog tags or to purchase dog tags online, visit the Belmont County Auditor’s website at belmontcountyauditor.org.

According to a press release from BMHA, the cost is $14 for one-year tags, $42 for three-year tags or $140 for a lifetime dog tag.

After Jan. 31, prices will increase due to a late fee.

According to the Belmont County Auditor’s website, licenses cannot be transferred from one dog to another, and purchases are non-refundable.

During the clinic, all dogs must be on a lease, and cats must be kept in a carrier.

The clinic will accept cash only.

Martins Ferry Senior Center Coordinator Melissa Finney said the event is “a collaborative effort to help the elderly and disabled in our community to take responsible care of their pets.”

She said she is excited to work together with the other organizations to help Martins Ferry residents take care of their pets.

“The companionship that pets can provide to people is invaluable, and we are working to help them maintain good health for their beloved pets,” she said.

Finney explained that many older residents may not be able to get out and take their pets to a veterinarian, so she wants to bring the vet to them.

For more information, call the senior center at 740-633-3146. The center is located at 14 N. Fifth St., Martins Ferry and is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.