Mineola, NY – In an effort to protect our pets and prevent the spread of rabies, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that Nassau County Department of Health will partner with the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association to offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. Open to all Nassau County residents, the vaccination clinics will be held on the following dates:
• Saturday, September 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter located at 150 Miller Place in Syosset. For additional information on this clinic, call (516) 677-5784.
• Wednesday, September 30th from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the “Yes We Can” Community Center located at 141 Garden Street in Westbury. For additional information on this clinic, call (516) 869-6311.
“This continued partnership provides an excellent opportunity for pet-owners to protect their animals against rabies,” said County Executive Mangano. “I invite and urge all Nassau County pet-owners to take advantage of this opportunity, and I thank the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association for partnering with Nassau County.”
New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that is 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. In order to visit one of the free clinics in Nassau County, all dogs are required to be on leashes and cats and ferrets must be in enclosed carriers. For additional information on rabies vaccinations please call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9663.