The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven and Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology will offer free rabies vaccinations by appointment for dogs, cats and ferrets on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The free clinic will be at the Eastern Academy of Applied Technology located at 970 North Griffing Ave. in Riverhead, NY. To make an appointment, residents may call 631-208-2015.
Although the clinic is available to all county residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.
New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people as three to six percent of the bats that are tested annually are positive for rabies.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services recommends the following precautions to protect your pets and your family from possible exposure to rabies:
- Do not feed, touch, or approach wild animals, or stray dogs or cats.
- Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets as well as horses and other livestock animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
- Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation.
- Keep family pets indoors at night. Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cover or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
- Do not transport or relocate any wild animals.
- Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten.
- Batproof your house and buildings