Westchester Reporter

Westchester County residents can schedule free rabies vaccinations for their pets this Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SPCA of Westchester, located at 590 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor. Appointments can be made by calling 914-941-2896 x1100.

An adult must supervise all pets during the event. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers, while dogs must be on a leash. Aggressive dogs are required to be muzzled. No examinations will be provided.

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler emphasized the importance of vaccination: “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.”

Additional free rabies clinics will be announced in other parts of the county in the coming months. According to New York State law, dogs and cats must receive their first rabies vaccine no later than four months after birth. A second shot is required within one year of the first vaccine, with booster shots administered every one or three years thereafter, depending on the vaccine used. Owners who do not comply may face fines up to $2,000.

Rabies is a fatal disease that spreads through bites or saliva from infected animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals like cats and dogs are also at risk if they come into contact with wild or stray animals.

A pet current on its rabies vaccinations would need only a booster dose within five days of exposure to a known or suspected rabid animal. Pets not up-to-date with vaccinations would face quarantine or euthanasia following contact with a suspect-rabid animal.

Behavioral changes are often the first signs of rabies in animals; these may include abnormal aggression or unusual tameness. Infected animals might lose their fear of people and become docile or excitable and irritable; they may stagger, spit, and froth at the mouth. Children should avoid unfamiliar animals and report any bites or scratches immediately to an adult.

All animal bites or contacts with suspected rabid animals must be reported to the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000. After hours calls should follow recorded instructions for reporting public health emergencies available 24/7.

For more information about rabies prevention, visit the Health Department’s website or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/wchealthdept and Twitter @wchealthdept.

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