The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health will hold two free rabies vaccination clinics Saturday, Nov. 7.

Both clinics will be drive-in clinics and animals must be pre-registered to receive vaccinations. Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets three months of age and older.

Jamestown and the Chautauqua County Department of Health will co-sponsor a clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jamestown Parks Department, 115 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown.

Dr. Gregory Hoyt will be the attending veterinarian. Pre-register by calling the Jamestown City Clerk’s Office at 483-7613 anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The town of Dunkirk and the Chautauqua County Department of Health will co-sponsor a clinic from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Dunkirk Town Hall, 4737 Willow Road, Dunkirk.

Dr. Joseph Bache will be the attending veterinarian. Pre-register by calling the Dunkirk Town Clerk’s Office at 366-3967 anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To pre-register pet owners must provide their name, address, and pet’s information.

Everyone will be given an appointment time to arrive at the clinic.

There are a limited number of spots available at each clinic, so pet owners should call to pre-register as soon as possible.

Walk-ins will not be accepted.

At the clinic, pet owners will stay in their vehicles with their pets. People must wear facemasks. Pet owners must bring previous rabies vaccination records for each animal receiving a shot to ensure proper and effective vaccination; clinic staff will confirm previous rabies vaccination records.

All dogs must be on a leash (small dogs may be in a carrier). All cats must be in a carrier.

Animal handlers will transport animals from the vehicle to the veterinarian for vaccination.

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 common disease carriers.

The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through saliva and it can enter the body from a bite, scratch, scrape or open cut.

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling and ultimately death within days of the onset of symptoms.

For more information about the clinics and rabies in general, visit www.chqgov.com/environmental-health/rabies-prevention or contact the Division of Public Health at 753-4481.