Rockland To Offer Free Rabies Shots for Cats, Dogs, Ferrets

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Rockland Department of Health will hold a free clinic offering rabies vaccinations for cats, dogs, and ferrets belonging to county residents on July 14.

An appointment is required for each animal. To register for an appointment, visit vaccine registration. For assistance making an appointment, call (845) 364-2656.

“Prevention is the best medicine! Please make sure that your animals are immunized against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date. Animal rabies is a life-threatening contagious disease that is almost always fatal,” said Mandar Mhatre, Public Health Technician II, Rabies Program Coordinator.

To get a free rabies shot for your pet:

• Your dog, cat, or ferret must be healthy.
• Your pet must be older than three months.
• Your dog must be on a leash.
• Your cat or ferret must be on a leash or in a carrier.

New York State law requires that all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. Owners can be fined up to $250 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-noon, Sunday, July 14. Check Facebook.com/rocklandgov for weather-related cancellations before arrival.

WHERE: Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemens Memorial Drive in Pomona

Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. The shots are free; however, a $5 donation per animal will help defray costs.

All animal bites and animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to The Rockland County Health Department at (845) 364-2656. After hours, callers should contact the sheriff at (845) 364-8600.

For more information on animal rabies or the rabies vaccine, call the Rockland County Department of Health at (845) 364-2656 or visit http://rcklnd.us/rabiesvax.