Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein announced upcoming rabies clinics to be held in May and September in communities across Erie County including Buffalo, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, Amherst, and Cheektowaga.

The popular clinics are conducted by the Erie County Department of Health in association with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the Medaille College Veterinary Technology Program, and the SPCA Serving Erie County and provide free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

“These clinics are one of our most popular services as, at every clinic, hundreds of pet owners take advantage of this free service to protect their pets and their families from rabies. In fact, in the past three years over 15,000 animals were vaccinated countywide through this service,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

“Pet owners should also remember that the law requires all dogs and cats in Erie County to get vaccinated against rabies. I would like to thank the Rabies, Disease & Vector Control program in the Erie County Department of Health, along with their partners, for working to provide this vital service to residents.”

Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein added, “I encourage pet owners to take advantage of this opportunity to protect their animals and themselves. Incidents of rabies typically rise as the weather gets warmer, so vaccination is recommended for all animals that may come into contact with wildlife and for any pets that go outside.”

In January 2015, an indoor-clinic record 620 animals received rabies vaccinations at a free clinic held in North Buffalo. In 2014, 30 animals tested positive for rabies in Erie County, including 20 bats, 6 raccoons, 2 cats, 1 fox, and 1 skunk. In 2015 YTD, 3 bats have tested positive for rabies along with 2 raccoons and 1 fox.

“Although the majority of the rabid animals identified by the Erie County Department of Health are wildlife, any pet can be at risk of infection if they are not vaccinated and come in contact with a rabid animal,” said Peter Tripi, Senior Public Health Sanitarian.

In 2014 we identified two rabid cats, in addition to bats and raccoons. We hope to immunize more cats at the next rabies clinics, whether they are ‘outdoor’ or ‘indoor’ cats.”

  • Wednesday, May 20, 2015 : 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Broadway Market, 999 Broadway, Buffalo
  • Wednesday, May 27, 2015 : 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Erie Community College (South Campus), 4041 Southwestern Boulevard, Building #7, Orchard Park
  • Wednesday, September 9, 2015 : 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Town of Tonawanda Highway Garage, 450 Woodward Avenue, Tonawanda (off Military Road near Sheridan Drive)
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2015 : 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Erie Community College (North Campus), Noonan Center-Maintenance Garage, 6205 Main Street, Amherst (off Youngs Road or Tech Dr.)
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2015: 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Erie County Fire Training Academy, 3359 Broadway, Cheektowaga (near Union Rd.)

 Erie County Press Release

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