Free rabies clinic Saturday in Fredonia
POSTED: May 15, 2008
The Chautauqua County Department of Health announces a free rabies vaccination clinic Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Town Barn on Chautauqua Road in Fredonia.
Attending veterinarian will be Dr. Katie Ball. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Pomfret.
Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets 12 weeks of age and older. Please know that all pets must be on a leash or in a cage. Please bring rabies vaccination records for each animal that will be receiving a shot, if you have them. It is helpful for the veterinarian to know the previous immunization status of each animal to ensure proper and effective vaccination.
Chautauqua County Director of Environmental Health, Mark Stow, states "We have already had one confirmed rabid raccoon this year in the Forestville area which emphasizes the importance of rabies vaccination for your pet."
April/May is the time of year when baby raccoons are being born and for various reasons can be separated from the mother. The baby raccoons then appear helpless, making it very tempting for people to pick them up. Stow emphasizes the raccoons should be left alone so that nature may take its course. When these babies are separated from the mother they often head out in search of food. The risk of holding a potentially rabid baby raccoon and exposure to its saliva is not worth the risk to you or your family.
New York state law does require each dog, cat and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. County residents are encouraged to be safe, responsible pet owners by having your pet vaccinated.
For more information, along with periodically updated rabies clinic schedules, please see the Health Department's Web site at: http://http://www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/health/healthframe.htm'>http://www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/health/healthframe.htm or contact the Health Department toll free at 1-866-604-6789.
