Free rabies vaccinations are available for Rockland residents' pet cats, dogs and ferrets during a special clinic Oct. 2.

The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen's Memorial Drive in Pomona. No appointment is needed. The shots are free, however a $5 donation per animal will help defray the county's costs. "Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Rockland County. We remind all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

To get their free rabies shot: Your dog, cat or ferret must be healthy

Your pet must be older than three months

Your dogs must be on a leash

Your cats and ferrets must be on a leash or in a top-opening container New York State law requires that all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.

Owners can be fined up to $250 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date. If an unvaccinated pet, or one that's overdue on its vaccination, comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. Vaccinated animals that come in contact with wild animals can be given booster vaccinations, but these shots must be given within five days of exposure.