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Saturday, February 04, 2012

Rabies Clinics

Rabies

Do Your Pets Need Their Rabies Shots?

Free Rabies Clinics for ALL Dogs, Cats & Domesticated Ferrets

Proof of prior vaccination is required to receive a 3-year vaccination!!!

Without proof of prior vaccination a 1-year shot will be given.

Sponsored by the Orleans County Health Department

For more info call: 589-3278

2011 Rabies Immunization Clinic Schedule

FREE for all DOGS, CATS and FERRETS**

Sponsored by

The Orleans County Health Department

LOCATION

DATE

TIME

Town of Shelby Highway Building

4062 Salt Works Road

Medina, NY

March 19, 2011
9-12

County Highway Building

225 West Academy Street, Albion, NY

June 4, 2011
9-12

Town of Shelby Highway Building

4062 Salt Works Road

Medina, NY
September 10, 2011 9-12

County Highway Building

225 West Academy Street, Albion, NY

October 29, 2011 9-12

Pet Health and Safety Widget

►	BRING PROOF of prior vaccination to receive a 3-year vaccination. (1 year certificate with no proof. Ferrets receive a 1-year certificate only.)
►	Cats and ferrets MUST BE SAFELY CONTAINED for their protection. Do NOT carry in your arms without the use of a secure collar and leash.
►	Dogs MUST BE UNDER THE OWNER'S CONTROL at all times.
►	Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled end of clinic for needed paperwork. If you have more than one animal being vaccinated, plan accordingly.
►	The Orleans County Health Department is NOT responsible for lost pets.

Donations welcome

For more information, call 589-3278.

Genesee County 2011 Rabies Clinic Schedule

Niagara County 2011 Rabies Clinic Schedule

Monroe County 2011 Rabies Clinic Schedule

Why is Knowing about Rabies important?

Animal rabies continues to be a serious health problem in New York State and Orleans County. With increased contact between wildlife and strays, people and their pets, the Orleans County Health Department reminds all county residents to become aware of rabies.

In the past 5 years, there has been over 100 animal bites per year reported by Orleans County residents. Over 60 people have needed treatment, costing the county tens of thousands of dollars. Most of these bites could have been avoided if the animals had been wearing large 'DANGER' signs on them or those who were bitten had stayed away from the animal in the first place.

Rabies is a fatal disease that only mammals can get and is generally associated with wild animals. Wildlife including, bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are most often thought of when rabies is mentioned. However, domestic animals such as cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock are also at risk of getting and transmitting rabies. This virus attacks the nervous system and is passed on from mammal to mammal (including humans) either through a bite or from the saliva and/or nervous tissue from an infected animal.

The majority of the reported exposures occur when an individual handles a stray animal or a tame acting, injured, or sick-looking wild animal. It doesn't matter how old the animal is (even babies), it can still have rabies and transmit it to others.

Bats are another way to be exposed to rabies. Although bats do not normally attack humans, any bat that is active during daylight or found on the ground, unable to fly, is probably sick, and should not be handled. Bats teeth are tiny and razor sharp and a sleeping person may not feel a bite or see bite marks if a bat is found in a room. If a bat is found in a house where people have been sleeping or children or folks with limited abilities have been...do NOT release it. Safely try to catch the bat without destroying the head (rabies can only be identified in the brain tissues). Using gloves, take a shovel or can that can be covered to scoop the bat into the container and cover it. Take the bat to the health department for testing. If the bat is recovered during after-hours and weekends call the Sheriff's Department at 589-5527 to have an Environmental technician paged.

It is important to teach ALL family members (and practice what you teach!) to stay away from animals they don't know or if their pet appears to have been in a fight with another animal. Do not touch or handle your own pet if it appears they have been attacked by another animal as there may be infected saliva on your pet. Either wait for a couple of hours to make sure the saliva is dried or use heavy rubber gloves to bathe your pet making sure to protect your eyes, nose and mouth from the splatter.

Protecting your home from wildlife, including bats can also help to protect your family. Make sure you and your family follow these tips:

New York State law mandates all cats, dogs and ferrets be vaccinated by 4 months of age.

If the vaccination is overdue, it can cost the life of your pet if it is involved with a potentially rabid animal.

Take responsibility as a pet owner.

Free rabies (donations are accepted) vaccination clinics are offered 4 times a year at 2 Orleans County locations.

If you are bitten or saliva from an unknown animal gets into your eyes, mouth and/or nose, clean the area immediately, contact your doctor or go to the emergency room and contact the Health Department at 589-3278 or after hours call 589-5527.

For more information on rabies click on one of the links below:

NYS Health Dept

CDC - Rabies Link

How to Safely Catch a Bat

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