Nassau County Offering Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics

In an effort to protect pets and prevent the spread of rabies, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, the Nassau County Department of Health, the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association will partner to offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. Open to all Nassau County residents, the vaccination clinics will be held on the following dates:

Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter, located at 150 Miller Place in Syosset. For additional information on this clinic, call (516) 677-5784.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the “Yes We Can” Community Center, located at 141 Garden Street in New Cassel. For additional information on this clinic, call (516) 869-6311.

With the recent finding of a rabid raccoon in Hicksville, this vaccination opportunity serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that pets are vaccinated against rabies. New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that’s overdue for its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination which must be administered within five days of exposure. To protect your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.

In order to visit one of these free clinics, all dogs are required to be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers. For additional information on rabies, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9663.

“This continued partnership provides an excellent opportunity for residents to ensure that their pets are protected against rabies,” said Mangano. “I urge all Nassau County pet-owners to take advantage of these vaccination clinics, and I thank the Long Island Veterinary Association and the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead for their partnership with Nassau County.”\

Photo: Army Medicine.