Rabies is an infectious viral disease the affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies (a rabid animal). Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, coyote, or bat can have rabies and transmit it to people. It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound. Public Health Law § 2141 requires dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against Rabies. Saratoga County Department of Health offers three free rabies vaccination clinics each year for Saratoga County residents with these pets.

Because rabies is a fatal disease, the goal of Saratoga County Department of Health is to prevent human exposure to rabies by education and to prevent the disease by anti-rabies treatment if exposure occurs.

About Rabies Clinics

Saratoga County offers free rabies vaccines for dogs, cats, and ferrets several times a year. Exact dates for each clinic are released approximately one month prior to the clinic date and are posted on this page as they are scheduled. You are encouraged to check this webpage often for upcoming dates. Registration for future clinics will open 3 weeks prior to the clinic.

You can make an appointment online through this page. Registration for future clinics will open 3 weeks prior to the clinic. Online registration links will be posted below when registration opens for a scheduled clinic.

Next Clinic Date: The next clinic date has not yet been scheduled. Please check back for the date and registration links.

 

About Rabies

The first sign of rabies is usually a change in an animal’s behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or tame. The animal may lose its fear of people and natural enemies. A wild animal may appear affectionate and friendly. It may become excited or irritable and attack anything in its path. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth, and paralysis are also sometimes seen.

• Wash all wounds thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

• Report all animal bites to Saratoga County Department of Health, even if they seem minor.

• Try to keep track of the animal that exposed you and report this information so that the animal can be captured safely, if possible.

• Healthy dogs, cats, ferrets and livestock that have bitten or otherwise caused a potential human exposure to rabies will be confined under the direction of Saratoga County Department of Health and observed for ten days following the exposure. If the animal remains healthy during this period, the animal did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite.

• If an animal cannot be observed or tested for rabies, treatment may be necessary for the people exposed. Saratoga County Department of Health will assist you and your physician to determine whether treatment is necessary.

The best way to keep pets safe from rabies is to vaccinate them and keep their shots up to date. If your pet has been injured by a rabid animal, contact your veterinarian to get medical care. Even though your pet has been vaccinated, a booster dose of rabies vaccine may be needed within five days of the incident. Contact Saratoga County Department of Health to determine what additional follow-up may be needed.

For questions or concerns related to animal bites or potential rabies exposures in Saratoga County, please call 518-584-7460 or email us at .

We are open Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, with staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies.

Contact info for other local public health departments:
County Phone Fax
Albany 518-447-4625 518-447-4501
Fulton 518-736-5720 518-762-1381
Rensselaer 518-270-2643 518-270-2973
Schenectady 518-386-2818 518-386-2822
Warren 518-761-6415 518-761-6422
Washington 518-746-2400 518-746-2461

To report a bite please complete the Animal Bite Report form.

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