DHHS Announces Upcoming Animal Rabies Immunization Clinics

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health has announced the following free rabies vaccination clinics countywide.

  • Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cherry Creek Fire Hall on Main Street and Southside Avenue in Cherry Creek, N.Y. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Cherry Creek and Dr. Josef Powell will be the attending veterinarian.
  • Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brocton Fire Hall, 80 Lake Ave. in Brocton, N.Y. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Portland and Dr. Mark McConnon will be the attending veterinarian. 
  • Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Town of Ellicott Highway Garage on East Mosher Street in Falconer, N.Y. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Ellicott and Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.
  • Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Town of Hanover Highway Department, 11966 Hanover Rd. in Silver Creek, N.Y. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Hanover and the Village of Silver Creek. Dr. Katie Ball will be the attending veterinarian.
  • Thursday, August 23, 2018 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Town of Ellington Highway Garage on East Main Street in Ellington, N.Y. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Ellington and Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.

Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. All pets must be on a leash or in a cage and pet owners should bring rabies vaccination records for each animal that will be receiving a shot to ensure proper and effective 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 the 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 clinics and rabies in general, visit www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/243/Environmental-Health or contact the Division of Public Health at (716) 753-4481.