Rabies Vaccination Clinic: Is Your Pet Protected?

The Rockland County Department of Health is hosting a rabies vaccination clinic on Sunday, July 11, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen's Memorial Drive in Pomona. 

There is no charge for the vaccination, but a $5 donation per pet will be accepted to help defray costs.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Rockland County.  The county Department of Health reminds all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date.

State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age, and owners can be fined up to $200 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date.  If an unvaccinated pet, or one that's 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. 

Vaccinated animals that come in contact with wild animals can be given booster vaccinations, but these shots must be given within five days of exposure.

For more information on animal rabies or the vaccine call the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2594.