By Catherine Cioffi, Communications Director, Office of Westchester County Executive Jen Jenkins

Sept. 23, 2026: The Westchester County Department of Health will sponsor a free rabies vaccine clinic for pets on Saturday, September 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the SPCA of Westchester, 590 North State Road in Briarcliff Manor.

Westchester County residents can bring their dogs, cats, and ferrets for a free rabies vaccine. Please call ahead to (914) 941-2896 extension 110 for an appointment. Bring proof of prior rabies vaccination if available. An adult must supervise each pet. Cats and ferrets should be brought in carriers, and dogs on leashes. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled or no exams will be given.

Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “To protect your pets and your family in case of contact with animals that may carry rabies, verify that your pets’ rabies vaccines are up to date, and take advantage of this free rabies clinic if needed.” 

New York State law requires a first rabies shot for dogs and cats by four months of age, and a second shot within one year of the first and boosters every one or three years, depending on the vaccine. Owners who fail to comply could face fines of up to $2,000.

Rabies is a fatal disease that spreads by a bite or saliva from infected animals. Rabies exposures have happened throughout Westchester, during encounters with stray and feral cats and kittens, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes and even a bear cub. Bats also can carry rabies. Cats and dogs are at risk because they can easily contract rabies through contact with wild or stray animals.

A pet that is up-to-date with its rabies vaccinations would only need a booster dose of vaccine within five days of the pet’s exposure to a known or suspect rabid animal.

Animals not up-to-date with rabies vaccinations would be quarantined or euthanized following contact with a rabid or suspect-rabid animal.

A change in an animal’s behavior is often the first sign of rabies. A rabid animal may be unusually aggressive, surprisingly tame or simply “off.” It may lose its fear of people, become docile and weak or excited and irritable.  Infected animals sometimes stagger, spit and foam at the mouth.

Wash animal bites with warm soapy water. Report all bites to your doctor and to the Health Department at (914) 813-5000. After hours, follow the recorded instructions to report a public health emergency.

Amler added: “If you, your child or your pet are bitten or scratched by someone else’s pet, wash the wound right away, seek medical attention immediately, call the Health Department and get the name and address of the owner so that the biting pet’s rabies vaccine records can be verified. That way, the bite victim may be able to avoid a series of rabies shots.”

Never touch wild animals or unfamiliar cats and dogs – even if they appear sick, injured or tame– and teach your children not to do so, either. Many well-meaning animal lovers have put themselves at risk of rabies exposure by trying to help an animal that looks sick, injured or lost. Residents who are concerned about an animal behaving erratically outdoors should avoid the animal and contact their local police department or animal control officer.

If your pet fights with another animal, wear gloves when handling your animal, call your vet and the animal control officer in your community. If your pet is exposed to a suspect rabid animal, try to keep the animal in sight until the police or a trapper arrives.

If your pet bites or scratches someone, confine your pet and call the Health Department immediately. Be sure to keep your pet’s rabies vaccines current as required by state law and call your vet to verify their vaccine records.

To learn more about rabies and its prevention, visit the Health Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wchealthdept or follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept.

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