When it comes to fighting rabies, prevention is essential. This starts with the animal owner. “Ensuring your family’s pet is properly vaccinated prior to possible exposure is critical to protecting yourself, your pet, and your community from rabies,” cautions Orange County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Irina Gelman. “When the family dog or cat is unvaccinated and exposed to rabies it can threaten the lives of all family members,” adds Dr. Gelman.

To safeguard the health of Orange County residents and their pets, the Department of Health in cooperation with the Town of New Windsor will be holding a free animal rabies vaccination clinic on April 6, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Town of New Windsor. The clinic will be held at the Town of New Windsor Highway Department. The building is located on the Stewart International Airport Grounds. There will be entrance and directional signs posted the day of the event.

Pre-registration for the clinic is recommended. To pre-register your pet for the upcoming clinic, please call the Town of New Windsor Clerk at 563-4611, 563-4612 or 563-5613. The clinic is open to cats, dogs and ferrets of Orange County residents only. All pets must be restrained by leash or carrier and proof of prior vaccination should be brought to the clinic for the 3-year shot. Please be aware that ferret shots are only good for one year regardless of prior proof of vaccinations.

In addition to keeping vaccinations current, Dr. Gelman offers some easy-to-follow tips to protect against rabies.

NEVER touch unfamiliar or wild animals.

AVOID direct contact with stray animals. Stray cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies may not have been vaccinated against rabies.

If you are bitten, wash bite wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

If your pet is bitten, consult your veterinarian immediately.

For more information regarding rabies, please call the Orange County Department of Health Environmental Division at (845) 291-2331.