Rockland County, N.Y. – Rockland County residents can have their cats, dogs, and ferrets vaccinated against rabies for free on Sunday, October 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 50 Sanatorium Road, Building A in Pomona. Appointments are required for each animal.
“Prevention is the best medicine. Pet owners are responsible for making sure their animals are vaccinated against rabies and that those vaccinations stay up to date to prevent this fatal disease,” said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health.
To be eligible for the free vaccination, pets must be healthy and at least four months old. Dogs must be on a leash, while cats and ferrets should be leashed or placed in a carrier.
Appointments can be scheduled online at http://rcklnd.us/rabiesvax or by calling 845-364-2656. Residents are advised to check Facebook.com/rocklandgov for any weather-related cancellations and to arrive 15 minutes before their pet’s scheduled time. While the shots are free, a $5 donation per animal is suggested to help cover costs; exact cash or a check payable to the Commissioner of Finance is requested.
Under New York State law, all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. Pet owners who fail to comply can face fines up to $250. The Health Department must be notified of all animal bites and any animals suspected of having rabies at 845-364-2656. After-hours incidents should be reported to the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office at 845-364-8600.
This annual initiative aims to protect both pets and the community from rabies, a potentially fatal virus, while ensuring residents comply with state vaccination requirements.