MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health has announced the following free rabies vaccination clinics in Chautauqua County:

¯ Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Poland Highway Barn, 533 Grubb Hill Road in Kennedy. This clinic is sponsored by the town of Poland and Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.

¯ Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the town of Westfield Highway Building, 118 Chestnut St. in Westfield. This clinic is sponsored by the town of Westfield and Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue. Dr. Katie Ball will be the attending veterinarian.

¯ Saturday, June 8, from 2-5 p.m. at the Brocton Fire Hall, 80 Lake St. in Brocton. This clinic is sponsored by the town of Portland and Dr. Mark McConnon will be the attending veterinarian.

¯ Thursday, July 25, from 5-7 p.m. at the town of Ellicott Highway Garage on East Mosher Street in Falconer. This clinic is sponsored by the town of Ellicott and Dr. Mary Fales will be the attending veterinarian.

Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older. All pets must be on a leash or in a cage and pet owners should bring rabies vaccination records for each animal that will be receiving a shot to ensure proper and effective vaccination.

New York State Public Health Law requires each dog, cat and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and county residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having their 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.