The Chautauqua County Health Department has announced two free rabies vaccination clinics. Animals must be pre-registered to receive vaccinations. Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older.
The first clinic will be on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Town of Hanover Highway Dept, 11966 Hanover Rd. Silver Creek, NY. The Hanover clinic is co-sponsored by the Town of Hanover, the Village of Silver Creek, and Chautauqua County Health Department. Dr. Katie Ball will be the attending veterinarian.
To pre-register online for the May 13th Town of Hanover clinic visit: https://on.ny.gov/449M0sD.
The second clinic will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Town of Westfield Highway Dept., 118 Chestnut St. Westfield, NY. The Westfield clinic will be co-sponsored by the Town of Westfield, the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, and Chautauqua County Health Department. Dr. Katie Ball will be the attending veterinarian.
To pre-register for the May 20th Town of Westfield clinic visit: https://on.ny.gov/426F0ee
There are a limited number of spots available, so pet owners should pre-register 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. Walk-ins may be accepted, but are not guaranteed.
At the clinics, vehicles will enter and follow the established traffic pattern on-site. Pet owners will stay in their vehicles with their pets, unless otherwise instructed. 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. All cats must be in individual 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. 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 can enter the body through a bite, scratch, 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 https://chqgov.com/environmental-health/rabies-prevention or contact Chautauqua County Health Department at (716) 753-4481.
