To protect local pets and prevent the spread of rabies, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, the Nassau County Department of Health, the Towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association will again partner to offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets.
Open to all Nassau County residents, the clinics will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter at 150 Miller Place in Syosset, 516-677-5784; and Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the “Yes We Can” Community Center at 141 Garden St. in New Cassel, 516-869-6311.
“This continued partnership provides an excellent opportunity for residents to ensure that their pets are protected against rabies,” said Mangano. “I urge all Nassau County pet owners to take advantage of these vaccination clinics, and I thank the Long Island Veterinary Association and the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead for their partnership with Nassau County.”
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. 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 animal, the pet must either be euthanized or quarantined for six months. If a vaccinated animal comes in contact with a wild animal, it needs a booster vaccination, which must be administered within five days of exposure. To protect your family and your pet, your animals must have up-to-date rabies inoculations.
“Rabies is a preventable disease and this free service allows pet owners to help keep their pets healthy as well as keep our community safe,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth.
During a visit to one of these clinics, dogs are required to be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers. For more information on rabies, call 516-227-9663.
