Date September 3, 2015                              

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925 

3 Free Rabies Clinics in September

Recent Rabid Cat in Erie County Enforces Need for Cats to be Vaccinated

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”), in collaboration with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the Medaille College Veterinary Technology program and the SPCA serving Erie County, is holding three free Rabies Vaccination clinics throughout the County in September.  Residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure the  health and safety of their pet dogs, cats and ferrets. New York State law requires rabies vaccinations for all cats, dogs and domesticated ferrets no later than four months after its date of birth.

“Rabies remains a very serious disease as it is nearly always fatal once symptoms are evident,” stated Dr. Gale R. Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “Residents should always remain cautious around wildlife or domestic animals as no one can tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Rabid animals may seem normal or can be lethargic, aggressive, or overly friendly.” 

It is equally important that “indoor” or “indoor/outdoor” cats be vaccinated against rabies as there is no way to ensure that any cat will be 100% free of potential rabies exposure. Bats, which have a high incidence of rabies, commonly find their way into homes through small openings. Raccoons can find ways inside buildings in a search for food.  In addition, there is always the chance that an “indoor-only” cat will sneak outdoors through an open window or door. 

“Although the majority of the rabid animals we see in Erie County are wildlife, your pets can be at risk of being infected if they are not vaccinated and come in contact with a rabid animal,” said Peter Tripi, Senior Public Health Sanitarian. “Last year has been unusual in that we have had two rabid cats, in addition to the more typical bats and raccoons. Unfortunately, we had another rabid cat this year, which then exposed the other pets in the household, as well as members of the household. If you love your pets, please take advantage of our free clinics to ensure all your pets, including both “outdoor” or “indoor” cats are vaccinated against the rabies virus.”

The only way to test an animal for rabies is on their brain tissue, which obviously cannot be done on a live animal.  If a pet animal bites a person, in order to avoid euthanizing and testing it for rabies, it must be confined and observed for ten days, possibly at the owner’s expense. A 6-month quarantine is required when an animal comes in contact with a confirmed or suspected rabid animal. Vaccinating out pets not only protects them from rabies, but also our family and friends, and protects individuals from the need to receive post-exposure anti-rabies vaccinations.

#  #  #