Pet owners: Get your dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies

Erie County’s free winter rabies vaccine clinic scheduled Jan. 20 in North Buffalo

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) has opened registrations for its free winter rabies vaccine clinic on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Buffalo Community Center, 203 Sanders Road, Buffalo (located off Colvin Boulevard, south of Kenmore Avenue).

Registration is available at erie.gov/rabies and appointments are required. Up to three pets will be accepted per appointment. Individuals who are unable to access online registration may call 716-961-6800 during business hours to schedule an appointment.

Dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months of age and older are eligible for a vaccination. Pet owners are asked to bring proof of their pet’s vaccination with them to the event in order to receive a three-year vaccination certificate; otherwise, a one-year certificate will be given.

This is a walk-thru clinic, and animals must be on a leash or in a carrier at all times. Dogs must be secured with a collar and leash or restrained in a carrier; cats and ferrets must be restrained in a secure carrier. Please do not use retractable or extended leashes.

“Every rabies vaccine we give reduces the risk that a person or pet will be exposed to this deadly disease,” said Environmental Health Deputy Director Peter Tripi, who manages the county’s vector control program. “We run these clinics several times each year – winter, spring and fall – to reach as many eligible animals as possible when they are due for a vaccine or a booster.”

ECDOH appreciates the continued support of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the SPCA Serving Erie County, and the Erie County Medical Reserve Corps for providing volunteers and support in coordinating free rabies vaccination clinics for our community.

For more:

• Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), rabies: erie.gov/rabies 
• ECDOH, division of environmental health: 716-961-6800