CHENANGO COUNTY — Pet owners can protect their cats, dogs, and ferrets from rabies this summer by getting them vaccinated at free clinics throughout Chenango County.

Cats, dogs, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Chenango County Public Health Director Isaiah Sutton said rabies is a virus transmitted between animals through saliva and nervous tissue, such as through a scratch, bite, or a rabid animal licking an open wound.

Pre-registration for upcoming Chenango County rabies clinics is required. To register, visit health.ny.gov/go2clinic. Call the Chenango County Health Department at 607-337-1673 with any questions.

Vaccination clinics are set up like a drive through, with animals and handlers remaining in their vehicle until it's their turn.

The Chenango County Health Department requests individuals only bring passengers necessary to control their animal, and keep pets on a leash or in a carrier, with only one pet per carrier. Pets not properly secured will be refused service.

Pet owners should also bring their pet's vaccination records to receive a three-year rabies certificate after vaccination.

All Chenango County rabies clinics are free, but a donation of $5 is recommended.

Sutton said getting your pet vaccinated against rabies is their best protection against the virus. If exposed to rabies, vaccinated pets just need a booster shot to recover.

However, unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies are at a high risk of contracting the virus, which results in a strict six-month quarantine or euthanization.

"That’s exactly why we have these free clinics: we want to get as many pets as possible vaccinated, because if an animal is vaccinated and is exposed, a simple booster after exposure is very successful at protecting against disease," said Sutton.

Signs of rabies in animals include weight loss, paralysis, throat swelling that causes an inability to swallow and foaming at the mouth, and aggressive behavior toward water due to the frustration of being unable to drink.

Sutton said another warning sign can be wild animals acting unusually friendly, or a normally passive animal acting aggressively without explanation.

To protect pets against the risk of rabies, take advantage of these upcoming clinics in Chenango County:

Saturday, June 28 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Oxford Village Highway Department.

Thursday, July 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Town Highway Department.

Saturday, July 19 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Greene Ball Flats.

Wednesday, July 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at North Norwich DCMO BOCES.

Tuesday, August 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bailie Lumber Yard in Smyrna.