ELMIRA - The Chemung County S.P.C.A. in conjunction with the Chemung County Health Department will be offering the following free rabies vaccination clinic to Chemung County residents:

• Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 9am to 11am at the Chemung County Health Department, 103 Washington St., Elmira, NY.

Anyone planning to attend should make sure that their pets are on a leash or otherwise securely confined, under the control of a responsible adult, and at least three months of age according to Cassandra Hotchkiss, Supervising Sanitarian with the Chemung County Health Department.  Hotchkiss reminds dog and cat owners to bring proof of a previous rabies vaccination if they wish to receive a three-year certificate for their pets.

The NYS Sanitary Code and Public Health Law require that all cats, dogs, and ferrets (four months of age or older) be vaccinated to prevent rabies.  Please be aware that pet owners who do not comply with NYS Public Health Law rabies vaccination requirements may be subject to a fine of up to $200.00.  Free rabies clinics are provided at least every four months throughout the year so that there should be no excuse for a pet owner not to get their pet vaccinated.  Residents are urged to take advantage of this free clinic to be responsible pet owners and to avoid being in violation of the law.

For more information call the Chemung County S.P.C.A. at 732-1827 or the Chemung County Health Department at 737-2019.