Modified: December 6, 2016 5:11pm
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MEDIA RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
December 6, 2016
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Free January Rabies Vaccination Clinic
ECDOH Vaccinated 4,635 Pets at 6 Clinics in 2016
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein are pleased to announce the date of the first of six free rabies vaccination clinics provided by the Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) in 2017. The Clinic will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. The clinic will be held from 3 – 7 pm at the North Buffalo Community Center at 203 Sanders Road in North Buffalo.
“Our free rabies clinics are a great way for Erie County to help protect families and their pets from rabies” said Poloncarz. “In 2016, 1,193 cats, 3,420 dogs and 22 ferrets (total = 4,635) were vaccinated countywide through these clinics. I strongly encourage pet owners around the County to take advantage of this valuable and mandated public health initiative.”
“These vaccinations are a good way to minimize the spread of rabies from from wildlife to pets and humans,” added Burstein. “I want to remind Erie County residents that if they or their pets have been exposed to a wild animal, or bitten by a dog or cat, they should contact the Erie County Department of Health at 716-961-6800.”
Burstein continued: “We are pleased to continue working with our valuable rabies clinic partners in 2017. The assistance of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the SPCA serving Erie County and the veterinary technology program at Medaille College, truly help us provide this vital and popular service to our community.”
Residents are cautioned that any pet is at risk of being exposed to a rabid wild animal and that rabies is always fatal in animals. Bats often find their way into homes, as well as raccoons, fox or skunk gaining entrance through “doggy doors”. To date, ECDOH has identified 31 animals that tested positive for rabies in 2016, including two domestic cats that had not been vaccinated.
Senior Public Health Sanitarian, Peter Tripi added “Our goal is to have 100% of Erie County pets vaccinated to protect them from rabies. It is important that both “indoor” and “outdoor” cats receive vaccinations as a rabid animal such as a bat could enter your home undetected. In addition, despite owners’ best efforts, indoor cats occasionally escape to explore the great outdoors where they are at great risk for encountering a rabid animal no matter where you live, city, suburbs or a rural location.”
Additional rabies vaccination clinics will be held in May and September of 2017 with dates and details to be announced at a later date.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
3:00 – 7:00 pm
North Buffalo Community Center
203 Sanders Road, Buffalo, NY 14216
(Located off Colvin Blvd, south of Kenmore Avenue)
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