NEW CITY- The Rockland County Department of Health announces free rabies shots are available for cats, dogs, and ferrets belonging to Rockland residents by appointment only on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona.
An appointment is required for each animal, and please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. The shots are free; however, a $5 donation per animal is requested to help defray costs.
To register for an appointment, please visit http://rcklnd.us/rabiesvax. For assistance making an appointment, call 845-364-2656. Also, be sure to check Facebook.com/rocklandgov for weather-related cancellations before arrival.
“Animal rabies is a life-threatening contagious disease that is almost always fatal. So, prevention is the best medicine. We remind all Rockland County residents to ensure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up-to-date,” said Mandar Mhatre, Public Health Technician II, Rabies Program Coordinator.
To get their free rabies shot:
- Your dog, cat, or ferret must be healthy.
- Your pet must be older than three months.
- Your dogs must be on a leash.
- Your cats and ferrets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
New York State law requires that all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. Owners can be fined up to $250 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up-to-date. All animal bites and animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to The Rockland County Health Department at 845-364-2656. After hours, callers should contact the sheriff at 845-364-8600.
“Save your pets, your family, and yourself from rabies. Please take advantage of this opportunity to get your dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated against rabies to protect them and the other members of your family from this disease,” said County Executive Ed Day.
