Dear Sun Spots: I hope you can give me some help on this as our pet is due for its shot. Many pet owners are frustrated by the answers we are getting about rabies shots and immunizations for other feline and canine illnesses. I have received indefinite answers from the Augusta “authorities” as well. Can you offer some straight answers? Or perhaps you can provide the telephone number and mailing address for the American Animal Hospital Association. I read your column first thing every day and will certainly appreciate any help. Thank you. – No Name, No Town

Answer: The address and telephone number you’re seeking are American Animal Hospital Association, P.O. Box 150899, Denver, Colorado, 80215-8099, (303) 986-2800.

Sun Spots spoke to Link Welborn of the association who explained that there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for every pet. Vaccine dosage and frequency for pets are the result of many variables including: the lifestyle, age, travel habits, veterinarian of the animal and individual state requirements. And, because vaccines are a medical procedure, not all veterinarians apply the same procedure to each animal. Link recommends seeking out a veterinarian that you have confidence in, taking the time to build a relationship of trust and then follow that person’s procedure.

Don Hoenig, Maine state veterinarian at the Department of Agriculture, explained in a phone interview that most common rabies vaccination guidelines for Maine for dogs is the initial primary shot, a booster after one year and then every three years thereafter. The two most common guidelines for felines would be a one-year shot to be repeated every year or a primary followed by a one-year booster and then every three years thereafter.

You can find more information on pet vaccinations and diseases on the Web by visiting the American Animal Hospital Association at www.aahanet.org, the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.amva.org or the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

Dear Sun Spots: Wow! What a tremendous response we’ve had to our request for Skip Bo cards. Similar to our experience a few years ago, we’ve received a lot of the original decks, and I cannot believe that we’ll ever use them all up. It would be nice if Mom lived long enough to do so, however that is in God’s hands. Thank you for your help. We have sent personal notes to each deck sender thanking them. Their taking time during this busy time of the year is very much appreciated. – Jim Murphy, Bethel.

Answer: It is wonderful to hear that you’ve had such a positive and rewarding response to your request. Sun Spots suggests donating the extra decks of Skip Bo cards to a local nursing home, hospital or school. I’m sure the recipients would appreciate your donation and enjoy playing such a popular card game.

For Susan Spellman who was looking for a bat and wildlife specialist to give a presentation to her home-schoolers reading group, David Sparks of Sparks’ Ark, 46 Rousseau Road, Windham, ME, 04062, (207) 892-8905, gives wildlife presentations at area museums, schools and groups. His talks features about a dozen different animals including bats, if requested. He does do this for $145 Mondays through Fridays and $165 on Saturdays. He says the presentation usually runs for 45 minutes to an hour.

Dear Sun Spots: I have approximately 30 coffee cups of all sizes and shapes; they were from a collection. I would like to give them to anyone who wants them. I can be reached at 784-6710 after 6 p.m. – E.L., Lewiston.

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