In an effort to protect pets and prevent the spread of rabies, Nassau County Department of Health and the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead will again partner to offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. Open to all Nassau County residents, the vaccination clinics will be held on the following dates:
• Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter located at 150 Miller Pl. in Syosset. For information about this clinic, call 516-677-5784.
• Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter located at 75 Marino Ave. in Port Washington. For information about this clinic, call 516-869-6311.
“This continued partnership provides an excellent opportunity for pet-owners to protect their animal against rabies,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “I urge all Nassau County pet-owners to take advantage of these vaccination clinics, and I thank the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead for their partnership with Nassau County.”
New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that’s overdue for its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination which must be administered within five days of exposure. To protect your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.
“With the recent finding of a rabid raccoon in Hicksville, this vaccination opportunity serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that pets are vaccinated against rabies,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “Rabies vaccination ensures the safety of your pets and also helps protect you and your family.”
Remember, you should not approach an animal you do not know. If you see any animal acting sick or strange, please stay away and dial 911.
In order to visit one of these free clinics in Nassau County, all dogs are required to be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers. For additional information on rabies contact the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9663.
