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Rabies Information
For the current NYSDOH Laboratory Confirmed Rabies Map for NYS.
Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and people.
Protect them, and you may reduce your risk of exposure to rabies.
The initial rabies vaccination for dogs and cats is effective for
a one-year period. After that, rabies revaccinations are effective
for three years. Rabies is transmitted by contact with the saliva
of an infected animal. This usually occurs through a bite wound,
but some other types of exposure may also put you at risk. Do not
handle pets with bare hands after any involvement with a suspected
rabid animal. If your pet has saliva from a suspected rabid animal
on it's fur, and you have open cuts or abrasions on your hands,
there is a potential threat of the rabies virus being transmitted
to you. Pet owners should keep a pair of thick gloves handy for
just such situations.
In Schoharie County per NYS Public Health Law, rabies vaccinations
are mandatory for dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets. The Schoharie
County Department of Health, in an ongoing effort to help county
residents keep their pets rabies vaccinations up-to-date, will be
holding animal rabies clinics throughout the year during the months
of January, May, and in August/September. Remember to bring proof
of previous vaccination to qualify for a three year rabies certificate.
Check the local newspapers and the County website's Public
Announcements for rabies clinic schedule dates and times
approximately 1 month in advance. A donation for each rabies
vaccination is appreciated to help offset clinic costs. If
you have any questions about the rabies clinics, or rabies
in general, contact the Schoharie County Department of
Health at (518) 295-8382.
If a bat is found indoors and the indications dictate a
probability of exposure, the bat should be captured and
tested for rabies. For more information read the
NYSDOH Rabies Fact Sheet
and watch
NYSDOH Catch the Bat
video.
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