Get Your Pet Vaccinated Against Rabies April 23

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department holds another rabies vaccination clinic on Wednesday, April 23. It will be open by appointment only from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oswego City Department of Public Works (DPW) garage, 114 Mitchell St., Oswego.

“Rabies is a fatal disease that can infect any mammal,” said Oswego County Director of Environmental Health Katelyn Parkhurst. “Protect your family by ensuring your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccine.”

All clinics will be held by appointment only from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. A limited number of appointments will be available, and they must be scheduled in advance. Those who are unable to keep their appointment are asked to call to cancel it, so that others can get an appointment.

Starting on Wednesday, April 16, residents can call 315-349-3564 to make an appointment for the April 23 clinic. Appointments will be scheduled clinic by clinic, with phone lines opening exactly one week prior. Announcements will be made before each one, reminding residents when the appointment phone line will open.

There is a suggested donation of $7 per pet.

The following protocols will be in effect at all clinics:

• Do not attend the clinic if you or your pet are ill.
• There is a limit of four pets per family. Only the individuals handling the animals should attend the clinic. Young children are not recommended to enter the building unless absolutely necessary. If children are left in the car, they should be properly supervised.
• People must control their pets at all times. Pets must be caged and/or leashed with a fixed length no longer than six feet. Cats and ferrets should be in a carrier.
• Attendees are asked to arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to their appointment and follow signs and instructions from clinic staff.

New York State Public Health Law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies, with the first vaccine given at three months of age. Dogs and cats require a second vaccination within one year of the first, and every three years thereafter. Ferrets must be vaccinated annually. Animals under three months of age cannot receive a rabies vaccination.

All incidents involving a bite or scratch from either a domestic animal or wildlife should be reported to the Oswego County Health Department as soon as possible. To report an incident or to seek guidance concerning potential exposures to rabies, call 315-349-3557, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or 315-341-0086 after regular business hours, weekends and holidays. Health Department staff will determine if exposure to rabies may have occurred.

Please do not call the after-hours number to make a rabies vaccination appointment. Use it only for incidents involving potential exposure.

Additional information about rabies can be found at https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/environmental1/rabies_program2.php and www.cdc.gov/rabies.

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