OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department reminds residents to call 315-349-3557 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to schedule an appointment for their pet at the next rabies clinic. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Oswego County Highway Garage at 24 Dill Pickle Alley, Parish.

“Only about 30 appointments have been filled for our Parish rabies clinic so far,” said Judy Grandy, director of environmental health for the Oswego County Health Department. “We still have many openings available, so if you or someone you know is planning to bring their pet to a County Health Department rabies clinic, please call us for an appointment.”

The appointment phone line for this clinic is open now. People can call 315-349-3557 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to make an appointment until the schedule is filled. Please do not call the answering service after hours to schedule an appointment for the rabies clinic.

The final rabies clinic is scheduled to run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Oswego County Highway Garage at 31 Schaad Drive in Scriba. Appointments for that clinic will be scheduled at a later date.

Grandy said, “While our rabies clinic schedule is nearly wrapped for the season, the rabies virus remains active year-round. It can infect any mammal, even during the winter months, and it is nearly 100% fatal. Immunizing your pets is the most effective way to protect them – and your family – from the disease.”

There have been 25 cases of confirmed rabies in wildlife throughout Oswego County so far this year. They include a fisher in Boylston, a bat in Scriba and a horse in Palermo. There were also two skunks, one each in Oswego Town and Scriba and two gray foxes, one each in Palermo and Scriba. Eighteen cases of rabid racoons were reported from towns around the county, including Albion, Boylston, Granby, Hannibal, Hastings, Orwell, Oswego City, Palermo, Richland, Sandy Creek, Scriba, Volney.

The Oswego County Health Department will continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols established earlier this year. “We are grateful to everyone for their understanding and support in the clinics we’ve had, and hope that continues with these last two clinics,” said Grandy.

COVID-19 protocols include:

• Do not attend the clinic if you are – or your pet is – ill.
• All attendees must wear a mask or face covering and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others whenever possible.
• Pets must be under control at all times. No mingling with other pets and people.
• There will be no “walk-ins.” This is an appointment-only clinic.

Attendees are asked to arrive no more than 10 minutes early to their appointment and to wait in their car to be called in. Please follow signs and instructions from clinic staff. Those who miss their assigned appointment will not be served.

There will be limitations for both pets and people. No more than four pets per family and no more than two adults, or an adult and a child aged 14 and older, per car. Younger children will not be allowed into the building. Parents must make sure that children are properly supervised in their car.

Pets must be caged and/or leashed with a fixed length no longer than six feet. Cats and ferrets should be in a carrier. People must maintain control of their pets. Veterinary staff will not be able to leave their stations to deliver shots to a pet in the vehicle.

The health department suggests a $7 donation per animal to help defray the clinic cost.

New York State law requires that all cats, dogs, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. The first rabies vaccine should be given at three months of age. Ferrets must be vaccinated annually. Dogs and cats require a second vaccination within one year of the first, and every three years thereafter. 

To report an animal bite or seek guidance concerning potential exposures to rabies, call 315-349-3557 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or 315-341-0086 after regular business hours, weekends and holidays. Do not call this number to schedule a clinic appointment.

Additional information about rabies can be found at www.cdc.gov/rabies.