N. Hempstead To Offer Free Rabies Vaccinations

The Town of North Hempstead is offering all residents free rabies vaccinations for their dogs, cats and ferrets next month.

North Hempstead has partnered with Nassau County Department of Health to offer the vaccination clinic in the North Hempstead “Yes We Can” Community Center, located at 141 Garden St. in Westbury, on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“This free rabies clinic is another great service that our Town’s Animal Shelter offers for our residents,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said in a press release. “Properly vaccinating your pets is so important and I hope pet owners will take advantage of this clinic in order to help keep their pets healthy at no cost.”

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

You do not have to be a resident of North Hempstead for your pet to receive a free rabies vaccine. North Hempstead officials will also offer on-the-spot dog licensing applications and renewals to North Hempstead residents.

For more information or to register, call 311 or (516) 869-6311.

All dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets are required by NYS law to be vaccinated against rabies. It is imperative to have your pet up-to-date on its vaccinations. If a pet is not vaccinated or overdue for its vaccination and comes in contact with a possibly rabid animal, the pet must be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months. But if a vaccinated pet comes into contact with a wild animal that possibly has rabies, it only needs a booster vaccination within five days of exposure.

TONH: North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Jenna Givargidze, Director of the North Hempstead Animal Shelter with one of the shelter’s dogs, Zeus