Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic at Nearby Community Center

Animal lovers can bring their dogs, cats and ferrets to the “Yes We Can” Community Center in Westbury for an upcoming free rabies vaccination clinic.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced Tuesday that the Nassau County Department of Health will partner with the Town of Oyster Bay, Town of North Hempstead and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association to organize the clinic.

New York State requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies, so this clinic is the perfect chance to get those vaccinations for free.

Stop by the “Yes We Can” Community Center, located at 141 Garden St. in Westbury, on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All dogs must be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers.

“This continued partnership provides an excellent opportunity for pet-owners to protect their animals against rabies,” Mangano said in a statement. “I invite and urge all Nassau County pet-owners to take advantage of this opportunity.”

More information on the rabies vaccine from Mangano’s office:

“If an unvaccinated pet or one that is overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination, but this immunization must be administered within five days of exposure.”

• For more information on the Westbury clinic, call (516) 869-6311.
• For additional information on rabies vaccinations, call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9663.