County Department of Health, Partners Provide Free Inoculations for More Than 400 Dogs & Cats

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”)has announced that a total of 409 dogs and cats, the third-highest number on record for such an event,  received rabies vaccinations at the Winter Rabies Clinic held on Wednesday, January 29 at the North Buffalo Community Center. The clinic was conducted in association with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the SPCA Serving Erie County, and the Medaille College Department of Veterinary Technology.

“Despite wintry weather and severe cold, residents once again came out to take advantage of this popular free vaccination program, protecting their pets and themselves from the danger of rabies,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “This success is due to the hard work of the Department of Health and their partners, and I thank them for their collaboration to provide this vital service and protect public health.”

Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein added, “The January rabies clinic was very successful and underlined the importance of these vaccinations, as we saw over 400 pet owners brave the elements to get their pets protected. Partnerships are essential in order to make these clinics work, and we have great partners currently who are helping to further education on how public health and the animal world interact. This is a great, cooperative effort that is good for all four-legged and two-legged residents.”

Specialized Medical Response Team (“S.M.A.R.T.”) volunteers also helped to coordinate the event. Of the 409 animals vaccinated at the January 29 clinic, 160 dogs received one-year vaccinations, while 184 dogs received three-year vaccinations. On the feline side, one-year vaccinations were administered to 43 cats, while 22 cats received three-year vaccinations. No ferrets were vaccinated at the event.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Health, visit http://www2.erie.gov/health/

On the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, visit   http://www.nfvsonline.org/

On the SPCA Serving Erie County, visit https://www.yourspca.org/

On the Medaille College Department of Veterinary Technology, visit  http://www.medaille.edu/faculty/veterinary-technology