Reducing Rabies through Treatment, Testing, and Pet Vaccination
Sullivan County Department of Public Health offers free rabies vaccination clinics for pets throughout the year for Sullivan County residents. See the Facebook page for upcoming clinics.
Rabies Clinics for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets – What You Need to Know
Before the clinic:
No pre-registration is necessary.
Your pet must be at least 3 months old.
Bring a photo ID as proof of Sullivan County residency.
Bring proof of prior rabies vaccination to receive a 3-year vaccination. If you don’t have proof of prior rabies vaccination, your pet will receive a 1-year vaccination.
At the clinic:
All pets must be in a carrier or on a leash.
All pet owners must clean up after their pets.
Aggressive dogs should be muzzled to avoid any biting incidents.
For more information about rabies or our vaccine clinic, please call us at 845-292-5910 ext. 0
FAQs
Why should I care about rabies?
- Rabies is present and will remain in Sullivan County.
- Stay away from wildlife. Raccoons, skunks, and foxes are the animals most often infected.
- If you see a wild or domestic animal acting strangely (too tame OR too aggressive) keep your distance and keep your pets and children inside. If your safety is being threatened, call your local police or sheriff's department.
Where can I find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator?
- You can find a wildlife rehabilitator at this link: DEC | Wildlife Rehabilitator Search
How often does my dog or cat need a rabies shot?
- Your pet must be at least 3 months old before getting the first shot. After the first shot, your pet must get another shot in 1 year. After that, if your vet is using a 3-year vaccine, your pet will need to be vaccinated every 3 years. Some vets prefer to vaccinate every year with a 1-year vaccine. Check with your veterinarian.
- A pet whose rabies booster was more than 3 years ago is considered unvaccinated.
A bat was flying around in my child’s bedroom while they were sleeping. What should I do?
- 96% of bats tested in New York State are not rabid. Catch the bat, if possible, so that it can be tested. If the bat has escaped and cannot be tested, the recommendation is to vaccinate your child. Your child could have been bitten in their sleep without knowing. Call Public Health for information on how to proceed.
My dog got into a fight with a wild animal, and the animal ran off. What do I do?
- Get a rabies booster for your dog within 5 days. If your dog is not vaccinated, he or she may have to be confined in a special enclosure for 6 months, or destroyed. Call Public Health Services to receive direction. Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies!
