CANTON — St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is hosting the first free rabies clinic of 2019. The Clinic will be held on Saturday, February 23rd from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm, 2043B State Route 68.

Every dog, cat and ferret 3 months or older is required to be vaccinated—this includes pets who normally do not go outside.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease if your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccine. Any animal bitten or scratched by either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat can transmit rabies.

The rabies vaccine will protect your pet for three years. Dogs and cats receiving their first rabies vaccine will need a booster in one year. Bring current rabies certificate (not a rabies tag) if you have one, as this is the proof of vaccination.

Registration can be completed at www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/45 when it opens Friday, Feb. 15.

Last year, the county vaccinated 2,961 pets during 24 clinics held throughout the county in partnership with townships. The 2019 St. Lawrence County Rabies Clinic schedule is posted on the SLC Public Health Department’s website at: www.stlawco.org/Departments/PublicHealth/ and at the SLCPH Facebook page.

For more information or questions about pre-registering for the rabies clinic, please call the Public Health Department at 315-386-2325.