Free Rabies Vaccine Offered by Monmouth County Feb. 20

Aberdeen, NJ - In response to a rabid pit bull found in Aberdeen last week, Monmouth County and the township of Aberdeen are offering a free rabies clinic for pets of all Monmouth County residents.

The free clinic will be Saturday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Aberdeen Public Works facility in the Cliffwood Beach section of the town at 147 Lenox Road.

Earlier this month, the NJ Department of Health confirmed that a family dog from Aberdeen tested positive for rabies. The dog, a pit bull, did not have a current rabies vaccination.

Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered, therefore it is strongly recommended that any animal newly vaccinated or those too young to receive the vaccine (less than three months) not be left outdoors unattended.

Stay safe from rabies virus

In addition to vaccinating your pets for rabies, there are several things residents can do to protect themselves and their pets:

• Avoid wildlife and animals you do not know.
• Keep your pet on a leash. Do not allow your pet to roam; it can come in contact with rabid wildlife.
• Never feed or touch wild or stray animals, especially stray cats, bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes or groundhogs.

• Teach your children that they should tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal.
• Call your doctor and the local health department if bitten or exposed to saliva or blood of a wild or stray animal.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet was exposed to a bat, raccoon, skunk or other wild carnivore.