Westchester County officials have announced that a free rabies vaccination clinic for pets will be held on Sunday, May 5 at Stamen Animal Hospital in New Rochelle.
The clinic, located at 61 Quaker Ridge Rd., will provide complimentary vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary, but cats and ferrets must be in carriers and dogs must be on leashes, with aggressive dogs requiring muzzles.
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler encourages residents to bring their pets, emphasizing the importance of protecting them against rabid animals. Failure to vaccinate pets may result in fines of up to $2,000.
Rabies, a fatal disease that commonly affects wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, can also impact domestic pets that come into contact with infected animals.
Recognizable signs of rabies in animals include abnormal behavior such as aggression, tameness, or excitability, as well as drooling or foaming at the mouth. Suspected contact with rabid animals should be reported to the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000.