MAYVILLE - The Chautauqua County Department of Health announces two more free rabies vaccination clinics. They are as follows:

Ellington - Thursday at the Ellington Highway Building, Route 62, Ellington from 5 to 7 p.m., with attending veterinarian Dr. Mary Fales. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Ellington.

Sinclairville - Aug. 15 at the Sinclairville Fire Hall, Main St., Sinclairville from 9 to 11 a.m., with attending veterinarian Dr. Harry Shaw. This clinic is sponsored by the Town of Charlotte.

"The Clinics are open the entire time advertised, so that residents can rest assured their pets will be attended to as long as they arrive during the advertised hours of operation," said Chautauqua County Environmental Health Director Mark Stow. "Pet owners do not need to arrive early with their pets and wait in a long line in order to receive their vaccinations. It's okay to arrive midstream and perhaps have a shorter wait," added Stow.

Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. Please know that all pets must be on a leash or in a cage; and you should bring rabies vaccination records for each animal that will be receiving a shot. It is helpful for the veterinarian to know the previous immunization status of each animal to ensure proper and effective vaccination.

New York State law requires each dog, cat and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. County residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having pets vaccinated.

Rabies is a very serious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus. Raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes are the common disease carriers. The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through saliva. It can enter the body from a bite, scratch, scrape or open cut. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing brain swelling and ultimately death within days of the onset of symptoms.

For more information on upcoming clinics and rabies in general, please see the Health Department's Web site at: www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/health/healthframe.htm or contact the Health Department toll free at 1-866-604-6789.