MAYVILLE - The Chautauqua County Health Department of Health and the Chautauqua County Humane Society will hold the final free rabies vaccination clinic of 2012 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown.
Dr. Melissa Schrope is the attending veterinarian.
Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. All pets must be on a leash or in a cage and pet owners should bring rabies vaccination records for each animal that will be receiving a shot. It is helpful for the veterinarian to know the previous immunization status of each animal to ensure proper and effective vaccination.
State Public Health Law requires each dog, cat and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. County residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having pets vaccinated.
Rabies is a very serious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus. Raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes are the common disease carriers. The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through saliva. It can enter the body from a bite, scratch, scrape or open cut. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing brain swelling and ultimately death within days of the onset of symptoms.
For more information on Thursday's clinic and the rabies virus, visit the Health Department's website at: www.myhealthycounty.com or call the Health Department at 753-4798.