Free Rabies Vaccinations for Furry Friends in Huntington

The Town of Huntington is offering all residents free rabies vaccinations for their dogs, cats and ferrets following the news of a rabid raccoon that was found in Hicksville last month.

The Town has partnered with the Suffolk County SPCA and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to offer the vaccination clinic on Sunday, May 15 in the Town Hall parking lot, located at 100 Main St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We hope pet owners who have not done so will take advantage of this free clinic to make sure the pets are properly vaccinated,” Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said in a press release.

To receive the vaccinations, the animals must be at least four months old. All dogs must be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers. A $10 donation to the Suffolk County SCPA is recommended.

All dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets are required by NYS law to be vaccinated against rabies. It is imperative to have your pet up-to-date on its vaccinations. If a pet is not vaccinated or overdue for its vaccination and comes in contact with a possibly rabid animal, the pet must be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months. But if a vaccinated pet comes into contact with a wild animal that possibly has rabies, it only needs a booster vaccination within five days of exposure.

For additional information on raccoon rabies and how to prevent exposure to the virus, go here, or call the SCSCPA at 631-382-7722 or the Town of Huntington Animal Shelter at 631-754-8722.

In response to the rabid raccoon report, Suffolk County Department of Health Services ordered increased surveillance of raccoons in Babylon and Huntington. Suffolk County Department of Health Services is asking residents to call them if they see any dead raccoons or any sick or abnormal acting animals. Call 631-852-5900. The DOH is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, call 631-852-4820.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. The virus can also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with a cut, open, or scratched skin lesions.

Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately contact their doctor or seek medical help at a hospital. Then, call the Suffolk County Department of Health.