(Schenectady, NY) Schenectady County will hold a rabies vaccination clinic for cats, ferrets and dogs
in Schenectady on April 15. The clinic is free to Schenectady County residents. Cats and ferrets must
be in carriers, and dogs must be leashed. Schenectady County vaccinated a total of 272 dogs and
165 cats at three clinics in 2022.
Schenectady County Public Health Services (SCPHS) transitioned to electronic registration and a
drive-thru clinic model to continue providing rabies vaccines to pets during the pandemic. Residents
register online for an appointment time and provide information about their animals. This allows
SCPHS to create a vaccination certificate for each scheduled pet. The new model has reduced stress
on animals and wait times and allowed residents with more than one type of pet to receive vaccines
during the same appointment.
“Spring is a time when many pets start spending more time outside, which could increase their
chances of being exposed to rabies,” said Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich,
Chair of the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee. “We host free rabies vaccine clinics
several times a year throughout the county to make it easier for our residents to keep their pets
healthy and safe.”
