Rabies: What every pet owner should know

NORWICH – Attention Chenango County residents: Vaccinate your pet against rabies and, if you find a bat in your home, do not release or discard it! Immediately contact the Chenango County Health Department's Environmental Division at 337-1673.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in New York State. With warm weather here, and increased contact between wildlife and people and their pets, the Chenango County Health Department reminds all Chenango County residents that it is prepared to help anyone who may have been exposed to rabies or who has questions about the disease. Staff of the Chenango County Health Department is available to respond to rabies questions. Routine inquiries and requests for information can be obtained by calling 337-1673 during business hours. After normal business hours, residents with urgent inquiries can call their healthcare practitioner, local emergency room, or 9-1-1 for an emergency.

In many years, New York State leads the nation in the number of rabid animals, with 559 animals confirmed with rabies in 2007. Last year, more than 3,000 New Yorkers underwent a month long rabies treatment due to bites, scratches, or mucous membrane exposures to saliva or nervous tissue from potentially rabid animals. More than three quarters of the treatments were related to animals not captured. If captured, the rabies status can be determined.

Pet owners need to know that New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that’s overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. It is essential that pet owners make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies, and that their vaccinations are kept up-to-date. Vaccinated animals that come in contact with wild animals can be given booster vaccinations, but these shots must be given within 5 days of exposure. For the convenience of local pet owners, the Chenango County Health Department holds rabies vaccination clinics in June and beyond at various locations. While there is no charge for the vaccination, donations will be accepted. Please contact the County Health Department for a schedule of free pet rabies vaccination clinics near you.