The Nassau County Department of Health is partnering with the Town of North Hempstead to offer a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Open to all Nassau County residents, the clinic will be held at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter, 75 Marino Avenue, Port Washington.

Following the confirmation of 12 rabid raccoons in the county to date, it is more important than ever to immunize your pets for their protection as well as for the safety of your family and loved ones. It is the law that dogs, cats and ferrets be immunized against rabies.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, the virus may also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with cut, open, or scratched skin lesions. To protect themselves from exposure to possible rabies, residents are advised to take the following measures:

• Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evenings.
• Do not touch or have contact with any animal other than your own.
• Do not touch dying or dead animals. If you must move them, use a shovel, wear heavy rubber gloves and double bag the carcass.
• Advise your family against approaching any unknown animal -- wild or domestic -- especially those acting in an unusual way.
• Instruct your children to tell you immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.
• Notify the Health Department if a bat is found in a room where adults or children were sleeping, or if an adult enters a room and finds a bat with a child.
• Do not feed unknown animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home by keeping garbage cans tightly covered. Avoid storing any food including pet food outside.
• Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccination, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses.

New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that's overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination, but this immunization must be administered within five days of exposure. If you care for your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.

Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room and then call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-2290 weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM or (516) 742-6154 evenings, weekends and holidays. For general information regarding rabies, call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-2290 weekdays from 9:00AM-4:30 PM or visit the department website at: www.NassauCountyNY.gov/Health or the state website at: www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/zoonoses/zoonoses.htm.