Free Drive-Through Rabies Vaccination Clinic

NEW WINDSOR – 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,” Dr. Gelman added.

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 free drive-through animal rabies vaccination clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 22nd at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park, located at 660 Mt. Airy Road.

To ensure the health and safety of all attendants, residents, volunteers and staff, please limit one person accompanying each pet. All persons attending must wear masks or appropriate face coverings. Please remain in your vehicle. Social distancing, hand hygiene and COVID-19 safety requirements will be enforced.

Pre-registration is required. To pre-register your pet for the upcoming clinic, please visit Town of New Windsor website at http://newwindsor-ny.gov/Officials-Departments/Town-Clerk or call the Town of New Windsor Clerk at 845-563-4611.

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.

NEVER adopt wild animals including cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies or bring them into your home.

DO NOT try to nurse sick or injured wild animals back to health. Call an animal control person or an animal rescue group so they can take care of everything safely.

Make sure your trash cans are secure and do not leave pet food out. You do not want to attract wild animals near your home.

Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop rabies infection and/or prevent the disease in humans and animals.

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