Protect Your Pets: Suffolk Offers Free Rabies Vaccines In April

BROOKHAVEN, NY —Suffolk County residents can get their cats, dogs and ferrets free rabies vaccinations next month.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for the pets on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven.

The clinics are available to Suffolk County residents; however, the quantity of vaccines is limited and available only while supplies last.

All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

Rabies, a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection.

Earlier this year, two cases of locally acquired terrestrial rabies were found in dead racoons in Amityville.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people as three to six percent of the bats that are tested annually are positive for rabies.

Recently tightened New York State laws require dogs and cats to receive their first rabies vaccine no later than four months after birth. A second rabies booster must be given within one year of the initial vaccine.

Rules require additional booster shots every one or three years after that, depending on which vaccine is used. Pet owners who do not have their pets vaccinated or keep the animals' booster shots current can be fined as much as $2000 for violations.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at (631) 854-0333 weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Animal bites or contact with wild animals can be reported to the Department at (631) 852-4820 outside normal business hours. If possible, try to contain the animal so that it can be tested.

For more information on rabies, click here.