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Schenectady County Announces Drive Thru Rabies Vaccination Clinic for Pets

Photo of a veterinarian holding a dog wearing a collar

Free to Schenectady County Residents

Schenectady County will hold their last rabies vaccination clinic for cats, ferrets, and dogs in 2024, in Princetown on November 2. The clinic is free to Schenectady County residents. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers, and dogs must be leashed. Schenectady County vaccinated a total of 436 dogs and 236 cats at four clinics in 2023.

Schenectady County Public Health Services (SCPHS) hosts drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics to make it easier for residents and families to keep their pets’ vaccines up to date. Residents register online for an appointment time and provide information about their animals. This allows SCPHS to create a vaccination certificate for each scheduled pet. Using a drive-thru model has reduced stress on animals and wait times and allowed residents with more than one type of pet to receive vaccines during the same appointment. The clinic is so efficient that, on average, one animal is vaccinated every 30 seconds.

“Keeping your pets vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect them and our community,” said Schenectady County Legislator Omar McGill, Vice Chair of the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee. “Our drive-thru clinics make it simpler for residents to keep up with their pets’ rabies vaccines while reducing stress on both pets and owners.”

Event Information

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Princetown Town Hall

                 165 Princetown Plaza, Princetown

Schenectady County residents can learn more about rabies or schedule a vaccination appointment at https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/rabies-vaccine or by calling (518) 386-2818. Appointments are limited.

Capture the Bat

Bats can carry rabies. If you or a loved one are bitten by a bat, touch a bat, wake up to a bat in your room, or find a bat in a room with an unattended child, SCPHS encourages you to capture the bat for testing. This can save you and others from needing rabies vaccines. Learn how to safely capture a bat at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YhnV5WJQBA. Questions? Call (518) 386-2818.

Visit https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/county-calendar for the latest information about Schenectady County events.