Suffolk Reporter

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven, NY. The clinic is available to all county residents; however, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes but can infect any mammal. Pets and livestock can contract rabies if they are not vaccinated.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.

Although no raccoons have tested positive for the rabies virus in Suffolk County since 2009, three to six percent of bats tested annually test positive for rabies.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services recommends several precautions to protect pets and families from possible exposure to rabies:

- Do not feed, touch or approach wild animals or stray dogs or cats.

- Ensure pet dogs, cats, ferrets as well as horses and other livestock are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.

- Keep young pets indoors unless under direct observation.

- Keep family pets indoors at night; do not leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.

- Avoid attracting wild animals by keeping property free of stored birdseed or other foods; feed pets indoors; tightly cover garbage cans; board up openings to attics, basements, porches or garages; cap chimneys with screens.

- Do not transport or relocate any wild animals.

- Teach children not to touch unknown animals and report bites immediately.

To prevent bats from entering buildings:

- Ensure windows have screens; cap chimneys; plug electrical and plumbing openings.

- Do not leave unscreened doors or windows open.

- Seal all openings larger than one-half inch using materials like expanding spray-on foam, caulk, wire mesh or steel wool around pipes entering buildings.

Report animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at (631) 853-0333 during weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or at (631) 852-4820 outside normal business hours. If possible, contain the animal so it can be tested for rabies.

For information about the vaccination clinic call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter at (631) 451-6950 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter. More information on rabies can be found on the New York State Department of Health website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/rabies/fact_sheet.htm and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/.

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