Town Animal Shelter Rabies Program

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray is pleased to announce that the town's annual Pet Adoption Fair and Rabies Vaccination Program will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter located at 3320 Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh.

"The Town of Hempstead is proud to have achieved one of the highest pet adoption rates in the nation," said Murray. "Our annual Pet Adoption Fair is a great time to bring the enduring love of a cat or dog into your home, as we waive all adoption fees for the day. In addition, each pet adopted will be spayed or neutered and micro chipped free of charge before leaving our shelter." The $10.50 State of New York Dog License fee still applies.

Pets that already have a loving home can be micro chipped at the fair for a $25 fee (CASH ONLY). No pre-registration is necessary. Pet microchips, as small as a grain of rice, contain a unique registration identification number associated with your pet. If your "chipped" dog or cat ever gets loose and is brought to any shelter nationwide, your pet can be scanned for your contact information, helping to quickly reunite you with your furry family member.

Once again this year, Hempstead Town is partnering with the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association to vaccinate healthy dogs and cats against rabies. "The rabies vaccination program has been extremely successful, with over 300 pets vaccinated last year alone. If they are not vaccinated, cats and dogs can contract rabies, which is an extremely serious disease," said Councilwoman Angie Cullin. "Pets can transmit rabies to other animals and to people, so it is vitally important that we help protect the health and safety of all our residents by vaccinating pets," added Councilman Gary Hudes.

To participate in the Rabies Vaccination Program, you must pre-register your pets by calling the animal shelter at (516) 785-5220. There is a nominal $10 fee (CASH ONLY) per vaccination and a limit of three pets vaccinated per household. Pregnant pets cannot be vaccinated. For the safety of all participants, cats must be brought in carriers and dogs must be leashed. All dogs must be licensed in order to receive a rabies vaccination.

Representatives from the Town Clerk's Office will be on hand to issue dog licenses. "Licensing your dog is a good idea and it's the law," said Town Clerk Mark Bonilla. "Make sure to bring the current license with you to the program. Otherwise, the purchase of a new license will be required."

The cost of a license for a non-neutered male or a non-spayed female dog is $10.50. The cost of a license for a neutered male or spayed female dog is $2.50. Spay/neuter certificates must be submitted as proof. Only residents of the unincorporated areas within the Town of Hempstead may obtain licenses at the rabies program. If you have any questions about licensing your dog, you can contact the Hempstead Town Clerk's Office at (516) 489-5000 ext. 3033.

"I invite visitors to come and tour the animal shelter during our adoption fair and select a loving pet to become a member of the family. I also encourage all cat and dog owners to take advantage of our affordable rabies vaccine and microchip programs offered on October 4," concluded Murray.