West NY News

The Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD) has announced a free rabies vaccination clinic, sponsored by the Town of Gerry and the CCHD. The clinic will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Town of Gerry Highway Department, located at 4675 Route 60, Gerry, NY 14740.

Animals must be pre-registered to receive vaccinations. The vaccinations are available free of charge for all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. Pet owners are required to pre-register online by visiting HealthyCHQ.com/Rabies and checking the calendar for upcoming clinics or scanning the provided code. Due to limited spots, early registration is advised. If registered but unable to attend, pet owners should cancel their appointments via the confirmation email received during registration. Walk-ins may be accepted towards the end of the clinic but are not guaranteed.

During the clinic, vehicles will follow an established traffic pattern on-site with pet owners remaining in their vehicles unless otherwise instructed. Previous rabies vaccination records must be brought for each animal receiving a shot to ensure proper vaccination; these records will be confirmed by clinic staff. All dogs must be leashed and all cats must be in individual carriers. Animal handlers will transport animals from vehicles to veterinarians for vaccination.

New York State Public Health Law mandates that every dog, cat, and domesticated ferret over four months old must be vaccinated against rabies. Residents are encouraged to vaccinate their pets as responsible pet owners.

Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus affecting warm-blooded animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. It can transmit through saliva entering the body via bites, scratches or open cuts. The virus infects the central nervous system leading to brain swelling and death within days after symptoms appear.

For more information about this clinic contact the Town of Gerry at 716-985-4715 or visit HealthyCHQ.com/Rabies for general rabies information or contact Chautauqua County Health Department at (716) 753-4481.

The Chautauqua County Health Department is dedicated to supporting community health through innovative approaches providing technical assistance to partner organizations along with various programs aimed at preventing disease and promoting overall health and wellness in Chautauqua County.