Pet owners and their pets take part in a free rabies vaccination clinic at ECC South on May 27, 2015. 965 animals were vaccinated at the event, which was conducted by the Erie County Department of Health in association with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the Medaille College Veterinary Technology Program, and the SPCA Serving Erie County. Three more free clinics are planned for September 2015.

Event at ECC South Campus Provides Pet Protection; Boosts May Vaccination Total to 1,800

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health has announced that 965 animals were vaccinated at the most recent rabies clinic, held Wednesday May 27 at Erie Community College South Campus. That number included 746 dogs, 212 cats, and 7 ferrets. A clinic held on May 20 at the Broadway Market in Buffalo also vaccinated 900 animals (a record for that site) and brought the total number of free rabies vaccinations administered in May to 1,865.

“The Erie County Department of Health and their partners are doing an outstanding job in providing this vital service, keeping pets and their owners safe from rabies at no cost. I thank them on behalf of all residents, and their pets, for working so diligently on these popular free clinics,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “When combined with the clinic held in January, nearly 2,500 animals have received free rabies vaccinations in 2015 alone. That is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the good work the team is doing.”

In January 2015, an indoor-clinic record 620 animals received rabies vaccinations at a clinic held in North Buffalo. The clinics are conducted by the Erie County Department of Health in association with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the Medaille College Veterinary Technology Program, and the SPCA Serving Erie County.

In 2014, 30 animals tested positive for rabies in Erie County, including 20 bats, 6 raccoons, 2 cats, 1 fox, and 1 skunk. In 2015 YTD, 5 bats have tested positive for rabies along with 5 raccoons and 1 fox. With the summer months approaching, residents are reminded to avoid wildlife no matter how tame it may look, and to report strange animal behavior to the Erie County Department of Health at 961-6800.

Future clinics are scheduled for September 9 in the Town of Tonawanda, September 16 at ECC North, and September 23 in Cheektowaga.

For more information:

On the ECDOH Rabies, Disease & Vector Control program, visit

http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=vector-control-program