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The free vaccinations will be given to dogs, cats, and ferrets on Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stamen Animal Hospital located in New Rochelle at 61 Quaker Ridge Rd., according to an announcement by Westchester County government officials.
The announcement comes after a rabid bear cub was discovered in Lewisboro, county officials announced on Friday, April 14.
Officials are now monitoring the area to make sure there are no other rabid bears.
Anyone wishing to bring their pets in for vaccination is required to make an appointment by calling 914-632-1269 and must supervise their pets during the process. Cats and ferrets are required to be in carriers, and dogs must be on a leash. Any aggressive dogs must be muzzled as well.
County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler said that the vaccinations will "protect your pet and your family in case your pet has contact with a rabid or potentially rabid animal.”
Under New York State Law, dogs and cats must receive their first rabies vaccine no later than four months after birth, and a second shot must be given within one year of the first dose.
After that, additional boosters should be given every one or three years, depending on the vaccine that is used.
Those who fail to vaccinate their pets and keep them up-to-date may be fined $2,000, officials said.
Rabies, which spreads through the bite or saliva of infected animals, is a fatal disease that most often affects raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic pets like cats and dogs may be at risk as well because they can easily contract the disease from wild or stray animals.
A pet that comes into contact with a rabid animal and is up-to-date with vaccinations would only need a booster dose within five days of the exposure, officials said. Animals that are not up-to-date, though, would have to be quarantined or even euthanized after exposure.
All bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at 914-813-5000.
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