The Broome County Health Department has scheduled 20 rabies vaccination clinics through December to try to curb the number of cases of the sometimes deadly disease in family pets.Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can be transmitted to humans and and other animals by an infected mammal.  It's most often seen among wild animals like raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated and kept up-to-date on their shots.The Broome County is holding the clinics around the county in conjunction with the Animal Aid and Relief Foundation (A.A.R.F.). There is no charge for the vaccination but a donation of $5 per pet is appreciated.

Dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets that are at least three months old are required by state law to be vaccinated.

If your pet has had a rabies vaccination in the past, you should bring their certificate of vaccination to the clinic so the pet can receive a three year vaccination. Without a rabies certificate, the pet will only recieve a one year shot.

The first few clinics are:

10 a.m.-11 a.m. February 16 at Fire Station #1, 17 Kattelville Road, Chenango Bridge

6 p.m.-7 p.m. April 3 at the B.C. Humane Society, 2 Jackson Street, Binghamton

10 a.m.-11 a.m. May 4 at the Sanford Town Garage, 192 Front Street, Deposit

For a printable schedule of the complete list of 2013 rabies clinics locations and times visit the Broome County Health Department website at www.gobroomecounty.com/hd. To hear the schedule, call the information line at (607) 778-3911, option 1.  For information concerning rabies, contact the Division of Environmental Health at (607) 778-2887.

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