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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. The Westchester County Department of Health and the New Rochelle Humane Society will sponsor a free rabies vaccination clinic for the cats and dogs of Westchester residents on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the societys 70 Portman Rd. facility.
Rabies is a fatal disease that is spread through the bite or saliva of infected animals, said Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County health commissioner. Vaccinating your pet against rabies will protect your pet and your family in case your pet has contact with a rabid or potentially rabid animal."
No appointments are necessary at Sunday's clinic. Cats must be brought to the clinic in carriers and dogs must be on leashes. No aggressive dogs are allowed.
According to a release from the Humane Society, New York State law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to receive their first rabies vaccination no later than four months after birth.
A second rabies shot must be given within one year of the first vaccination with additional booster shots given every one or three years after that, depending on the vaccine used. Owners who fail to have their pets completely vaccinated for rabies may be fined up to $1,000.
A pet that is up-to-date with its rabies vaccinations would only need to get a booster dose of vaccine within five days of the pets exposure to a known or suspect rabid animal.
Animals not up-to-date with rabies vaccinations would need to be quarantined or potentially euthanized following contact with a rabid or suspect-rabid animal.
For more information about the rabies clinic, visit the New Rochelle Human Society's website.
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