A FREE rabies clinic was just held on January 23, 2010 at the Chemung County Health Department.  You can call the Health Department at 737-2019 to be put on a "call list" to receive a telephone notification when the next clinic is scheduled.

If you need to obtain a free rabies shot for your pet and can't wait until the next Chemung County clinic, you can check the Steuben County Rabies Clinic Schedule by clicking HERE.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RABIES AND ANIMAL BITES/EXPOSURES

Question:  If my dog, cat or ferret bites or scratches someone, do I need to report it to anyone?
Answer:  If the bite/scratch required medical treatment, the health care provider is required to report the incident to the Health Department. If no health care provider is involved and the person bitten is a child, the parent of the child shall report the bite to the Health Department.  If the person bitten is an adult, that person shall make the report to the Health Department.

Question:  What will happen to my dog, cat, or ferret after it has bitten or scratched someone?
Answer:  If the animal is actively immunized against at the time of the bite, the Health Department may allow a 10-day confinement of the animal at the home of the owner.  If the pet is not actively immunized, a 10-day confinement must occur at the owner's expense at an appropriate location approved by the Health Department.

Question:  Does my dog, cat, or ferret need to have rabies shots?
Answer:  Yes, every dog, cat and domesticated shall be actively immunized against rabies. Initial vaccination shall occur no later than 4 months after birth.  They shall have a 2nd vaccination within one year of the first vaccination.  The terms of subsequent vaccinations will depend on the type of vaccine administered.

Question:  What are the consequences if my dog, cat, or ferret is not vaccinated for rabies?
Answer:  The owning of a dog, cat or ferret by any person is a violation of the law and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $200 for each offense.

Question:  What if I can't afford to get my dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated for rabies?
Answer:  The Health Department sponsors FREE rabies vaccination clinics at least every 4 months, so there is no excuse for not getting your pet vaccinated.

For more information on any of the above questions, there are two documents available for download.  The first is Part 2 of the State Sanitary Code and the second is Title IV of Public Health Law.