NEWS

Drive-in Rabies Immunization Clinics Scheduled for

September 9 in Carroll,

September 10 in Poland, and

September 25 in Charlotte.

Pre-Registration is Required for Each Animal

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: -- The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health has announced three free rabies vaccination clinics to be held in September. The Towns of Poland, Carroll, and Charlotte, along with Chautauqua County Department of Health will co-sponsor these events. The clinics will be held on:

Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Town of Carroll Town Hall, 5 W. Main St., Frewsburg, N.Y. Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.

Friday, September 10, 2021 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Town of Poland Highway Department, 533 Grubb Hill Rd., Kennedy, N.Y. Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.

Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sinclairville Volunteer Fire Station, 30 Main St., Sinclairville, NY. Dr. Harry Shaw will be the attending veterinarian.

These clinics will be drive-in clinics and each animal must be pre-registered to receive a vaccination. Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. You must pre-register online at:

For Carroll: https://bit.ly/rabies_sept9

For Poland: https://bit.ly/rabies_sept10

For Charlotte: https://bit.ly/rabies_sept25

There are a limited number of spots available at the clinic, so pet owners should pre-register each animal online as soon as possible. If you register but decide not to attend the event, please cancel your appointment so the spot is available for another pet. You can cancel appointments via the confirmation email you receive when you register or call the Chautauqua County Department of Health at (716) 753-4481. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Pet owners will stay in their vehicles with their pets. People must wear facemasks. Pet owners must bring previous rabies vaccination records for each animal receiving a shot to ensure proper and effective vaccination; clinic staff will confirm previous rabies vaccination records. All dogs must be on a leash (small dogs may be in a carrier). All cats must be in carriers. Animal handlers will transport animals from the vehicle to the veterinarian for vaccination.

New York State Public Health Law requires each dog, cat, and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and county residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having their pets vaccinated.

Rabies is a very serious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus. Raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are common disease carriers. The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through saliva and it can enter the body from a bite, scratch, scrape or open cut. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling and ultimately death within days of the onset of symptoms.

For more information about the clinic and rabies in general, visit chqgov.com/environmental-health/rabies-prevention or contact the Division of Public Health at (716) 753-4481.