Town of Hempstead Offering Free Pet Adoption, Affordable Vaccinations

The Town of Hempstead is offering residents another chance to bring home a new pet for free, as well as giving all licensed pets in town affordable rabies vaccinations.

The town will be holding a Rabies Clinic and Pet Fair on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Animal Shelter, located at 3320 Beltagh Ave. in Wantagh. Rabies vaccinations will be just $10.

Rabies vaccinations will be administered by the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association, and the fee is payable in cash only. Limit is three pets per household. Dogs must be leashed, cats placed in carriers. All residents must pre-register their pet by calling the shelter at (516) 785-5220. In order to receive a vaccination, dogs must be licensed and proof must be provided. If residents need to purchase a license for their dog, the price is $10 for spayed/neutered canines, and $18 for non-spayed/neutered.

The shelter strongly urges that all residents have their pets vaccinated, as rabies is easily transferable among animals and, in many cases, can be fatal.

Residents looking to adopt a new pet on Oct. 1 will not pay for adoptions, spaying/neutering, vaccinations or microchipping. Shelter staff will be on hand to assist prospective adopters, and neighbors can also visit the town animal shelter website to browse photos and information about cats and dogs available for adoption, or contact the shelter at (516) 785-5220.

Photo: gomagoti/Flickr