The Chenango County Department of Public Health, Environmental Division, will be holding free rabies vaccine clinics for cats, dogs, and ferrets in various locations throughout Chenango County. To register your pet for vaccination, visit health.ny.gov/go2clinic or call the Chenango County Environmental Health Offices at 607-337-1673. (Sun File Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY --- Drive through Rabies clinics are scheduled for the fall, beginning in September.

All pets must be pre-registered for the clinic at health.ny.gov/go2clinic or call The Chenango County Environmental Health offices at 607-337-1673 for assistance.

Upcoming Chenango County Rabies Clinics are:

Saturday, September 9 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Greene Ball Flats

Saturday, September 23 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Norwich Fair Grounds

Saturday, October 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Sherburne Bus Garage

Wednesday, November 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the North Norwich Town Garage

Saturday, December 9 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the South New Berlin Fire Station

New York State Public Health Rabies Law requires all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets to receive immunization against Rabies no later than four months of age.

Pets must be under control when in attending a rabies clinic. Dogs must be leashed. Cats and ferrets must be in a box, crate, pillowcase, or other container.

Chenango County Director of Public Health Isaiah Sutton recently said, “They are free vaccines. The most important thing to us is that more pets get vaccinated. Any donation is appreciated and does help offset the cost associated with putting these events on.”

Rabies is passed between animals through saliva and nerve tissue, Sutton said. The virus could be contracted through animal bites, scratches, or a rabid animal licking an open wound.

State law requires animals vaccinated for the first time, to return the following year to be re-vaccinated. Previous vaccination records are expected for proof and qualification of the three year certificate.

The clinic will be a drive through check in and afterward, animals will need to be removed from the vehicle to be vaccinated. Limiting passengers to adults and only those necessary to control the animal(s) will simplify the process.

Bring proof of previous vaccination(s) to the clinic.

For more information contact the Chenango County Department of Public Health, Environmental Division at 607-337-1673 or visit the website www.co.chenango.ny.us.