As March is here, thank heavens, the animal shelter reminds Islanders that the annual rabies clinic will take place at the end of the month. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. until noon. The clinic will take place at the shelter in Edgartown as well as up-Island at the public safety building in West Tisbury next to the charter school. If past years are any indication, the closer to noon you come the shorter the line. There is no point in arriving before 10 a.m. as the vets will not be on-site before that time. Two vets will be at the Edgartown location for the last hour so that translates to a shorter wait. Each vaccination costs $20, considerably less than having it done privately. Please leash your dogs and bring your cats in a carrier (not a box). If you wish your animal to receive a shot good for three years be sure to bring the previous vaccination certificate for authentication.

Meet Ticona. — Alison L. Mead

Last week we issued a request for sparklies. Hunt through your drawers for any unused or disliked jewelry. It can be the real thing, even if damaged, or costume. The shelter will have everything cleaned, repaired if necessary, and appraised by an expert. It will be put up for sale at the garden party, our chief fund raiser, on June 29. Bring anything, new or old, silver, gold or dross to the animal shelter in Edgartown.

An adorable dog was surrendered last week. His name is Ticona. He is best described as a small brown dog of indeterminate origin, part Chihuahua, part anyone’s guess. He is five years old. The vet pronounces him in fine health. He was surrendered because of the usual problem here on the Island: his owners are moving to a rental that does not allow dogs. He is rather shy, but will come around quickly with a handful of treats.

Last week’s column mentioned that we had a beautiful mother cat and her equally gorgeous kitten. It said that both would probably be adopted by this week. That was a misstatement as they are still here. The mother, Missy, is a pale beige with bright blue eyes. Emma the kitten, is also a misty neutral color, with gray eyes. Both are top quality felines. Our tuxedo cats, Mickey, the six-year-old male, and Muffin, a two-year-old female, are keeping busy playing with cat toys and leaping from the renaissance tower to the tops of the cages, to the amusement of volunteers and visitors. New homes are needed by both.

Dog owners beware. Skunks are emerging from their winter quarters to chance meetings with our domesticated animals who have probably forgotten all about them over this endless winter. Keep an eye out for those smelly rascals.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.