Protect Your Pets: Westchester Will Offer Free Rabies Vaccines

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — Westchester County residents can bring their pets for free rabies vaccinations this Saturday.

The SPCA of Westchester, located at 590 North State Road in Briarcliff Manor, will be open to dogs, cats and even ferrets this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shots to protect our furry friends are free. Pet owners can call 914-941-2896, extension 1100 to make an appointment.

No examinations will be offered at the vaccine clinic at the SPCA of Westchester. All pets must be supervised at all times while at the clinic. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers and dogs must be on a leash. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled.

"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," Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, M.D. said.

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.

According to the health department, the animals most commonly infected with rabies include raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. Pets are also considered to be at high risk because they can easily contract rabies through the bites and saliva of wild or stray animals they may encounter.

Health officials say a pet that is up-to-date with its rabies vaccinations would only need a booster dose of vaccine within five days of exposure to a known or suspected rabid animal. Family pets not current with rabies vaccinations could be quarantined or even euthanized following contact with a rabid animal.

The first sign of rabies is often a change in an animal's behavior. A rabid animal might become abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. Infected animals might stagger, spit and/or froth at the mouth. All animal bites or contact with animals suspected of being rabid should be reported to the Westchester County Health Department at 914-813-5000.

Animal lovers can find the latest news and alerts about rabies incidents in Westchester County at the health department’s website.