The Peru Gazette

Peru, NY, May 6, 2024: The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) is hosting a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets. New York State law requires pets to have their first rabies vaccination by four months of age, but pets may be vaccinated as early as three months of age.

The event will be held on May 16, 2024, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the Peru Volunteer Fire Department building located at 753 Bear Swamp Road, Peru, NY. Interested residents should bring their pets on a leash or in a secure carrier. Pets that have received a previous rabies vaccination are eligible for a three-year certificate. Please bring your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination records (previous certificate). Otherwise, a one-year certificate will be provided.

CCHD asks those planning to attend the clinic to Pre-register for the event at www.clintonhealth.org/rabiesclinics. Residents can call CCHD at 518-565-4870 for assistance with the registration process. There is a limit of 3 animals per household. Remain in your car until your appointment time. Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting all mammals, including humans and pets. Rabies is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating your pets. As a precaution, never pick up wildlife, including stray animals, and wear thick protective gloves when handling these animals. If you are bitten (teeth breaking the skin) by an animal, including domestic animals, seek medical attention and notify the CCHD.

“This is a great opportunity to save your pet’s life and prevent the spread of rabies”, states Amanda Masten, Senior Sanitarian for CCHD’s Division of Environmental Health & Safety. “This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.” Donations are accepted and appreciated.

CCHD has scheduled five additional Rabies Vaccination Clinics at the following locations: 7/18/24—Dannemora Fire Department 8/8/24—Beekmantown Highway Garage 9/24/24—Rouses Point Volunteer Fire Department 10/8/24—Ellenburg Depot Fire Department 12/3/24—City of Plattsburgh Public Works.

For more information, including future clinic dates, visit www.clintonhealth.org/rabiesclinics or follow our social media pages. For more information on the rabies virus, visit the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html.