Syracuse pet owners, this mild winter means that spring wildlife will likely be active earlier and in greater numbers. If the family pet needs rabies vaccinations, it's time to take a look at the schedule Onondaga County Health Department just announced for its 2012 free rabies shot clinics. The clinics are open to all county residents, including the city of Syracuse.
Free clinics begin in March. Onondaga county's 15 free rabies shot clinics will be held throughout 2012 at the following locations:
Onondaga County 2012 Free Rabies Shot Clinic Schedule
- Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m. - noon, CNYS.P.C.A., 5878 East Molloy Rd., Mattydale
- Thursday, April 12, 5 - 7 p.m., Meachem Ice Rink,121 West Seneca Tnpk., Syracuse
- Thursday, May 3, 5 - 7 p.m., Clay Highway Garage, 4483 Rte. 31, Clay
- Monday, May 14, 5 - 7 p.m., Village of Manlius Recreation Center, 6 Stickley Dr., Manlius
- Tuesday, May 22, 5 - 7:30 p.m., CNYS.P.C.A., 5878 East Molloy Rd., Mattydale
- Thursday, June 7, 5 - 7 p.m., Camillus Town Hall, 4600 W. Genesee St., Camillus
- Thursday, June 21, 5 - 7 p.m., Meachem Ice Rink, 121 W. Seneca Tnpk., Syracuse
- Monday, June 25, 5 - 7 p.m., Cicero Highway Garage, 8236 Brewerton Rd., Cicero
- Thursday, July 19, 5 - 7 p.m., Alliance Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr., Syracuse
- Thursday, August 2, 5 - 7 p.m., Village of Minoa DPW, 100 Kalin Dr., Minoa
- Thursday, August 23, 5 - 7 p.m., St. Lucy’s Church, 432 Gifford St., Syracuse
- Tuesday, September 11, 5 - 7:30 p.m., CNY S.P.C.A., 5878 East Molloy Rd., Mattydale
- Thursday, September 20, 5 - 7 p.m., Marcellus Fire Department, 4242 Slate Hill Rd., Marcellus
- Thursday, October 4, 5 - 7 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, East Mud Lake Rd., Baldwinsville
- Saturday, December 1, 10 - noon, CNY S.P.C.A., 5878 East Molloy Rd., Mattydale
According to the poster distributed by the Onondaga County Health Department, all shots are free for the companion animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) of Onondaga county residents. However, a voluntary donation for shots will be accepted from residents who wish to make a donation. Residents should keep pets close to them at the clinics, on a leash or in a carrier, and bring with them their pet's past shot records.
New York State Public Health Law requires rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats, as well as ferrets, Most local towns and villages require proof of rabies vaccination to issue a dog license. All New York state parks require proof of rabies vaccination for pets brought into state parks. And readers who regularly cross the border into Canada at Niagara Falls or along the St. Lawrence Seaway need proof of rabies vaccination for any pets which travel with them.
According to December's 2011 cummulative rabies report published by the Wadsworth Center of the NY State Department of Health, Onondaga county submitted 273 animal sample for testing. Of the samples submitted, 11 were positive for rabies, including two skunks, one fox, four bats and four raccoons.
So far in 2012, Onondaga county has submitted 11 animal samples for testing, and received postive results on one skunk and one bat sample. Central New York's unseasonably warm winter means that skunks, raccoons and bats are more active than usual. If domestic cats and dogs encounter rabid wildlife while outdoors, there is a risk that they can expose their owners to rabies.
Puppies and kittens are usually vaccinated for rabies the first time at around three months of age. They also need to get a booster shot at one year old, and follow-up vaccinations every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year.
Watch Syracuse Dog Training for reminders about upcoming free rabies shot clinics in Onondaga county throughout the year. For more information about the clinic program in Onondaga County, contact the Animal Disease Control, 435-3165. For information about free clinics in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties, check Utica Pet Health, written by examiner Debra Eldredge, DVM.
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