Orange County Offers Free Rabies Vaccinations for Pets in Minisink May 9

Under New York State law, every dog, cat, and ferret must receive a rabies vaccination by four months of age. Miss it, and owners face fines up to $200 per offense. The Orange County Department of Health and the Town of Minisink are eliminating the cost barrier on Saturday, May 9, with a free clinic at Minisink Town Hall and Highway Department, 20 Roy Smith Drive, Westtown, running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The clinic is open to Orange County residents only. Pre-registration is strongly recommended to protect the vaccine supply; register online through the Town of Minisink website or call the Town Clerk at 845-726-3700 ext. 1. Every pet must arrive on a leash or secured in a carrier.

Proof of prior rabies vaccination is required for dogs or cats scheduled to receive a three-year booster. Ferret owners should know their animals receive a one-year vaccine only, regardless of any prior vaccination history.

The stakes of staying current go beyond the fine. Acting Orange County Commissioner of Health Jennifer Roman was direct: "When a family dog or cat is unvaccinated and exposed to rabies, it can threaten the health of both the pet and the household." Under New York State protocol, an unvaccinated pet exposed to a rabid animal faces mandatory extended quarantine or, in confirmed exposure cases, euthanasia.

County Executive Steve Neuhaus framed the broader obligation: "Vaccination is the best way to protect your pets, your family, and others against rabies. When it comes to fighting rabies, prevention is essential, and that starts with responsible pet ownership."

Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear. Orange County's mix of suburban neighborhoods, farmland, and wildlife corridors makes encounters with raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes a year-round reality, not a seasonal concern.

For questions about this clinic or additional vaccination dates across the county, contact the OCDOH Environmental Health Division at 845-291-2331.