BROOKHAVEN, NY — A free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets will be offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter on Horseblock Road in Brookhaven.

The clinic is available to all county residents, but the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last.

All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with it.

Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against the infection.

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New York State and Suffolk County laws require all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against the virus.

Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for them, but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people, as three to six percent of the bats that are tested annually are positive for rabies.

The county's Department of Health Services recommends the following precautions to protect your pets and your family from possible exposure to rabies:

To keep bats from getting into buildings, bat-proofing techniques should include:

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333 weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Animal bites or contact with wild animals can be reported to the Department at 631-852-4820 outside normal business hours. If possible, try to contain the animal so that it can be tested.

For more information on rabies, follow the links below:

For information about the rabies vaccination clinic, call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter at 631-451-6950 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Dr. Quinn Is Honored by Councilman Jonathan Kornreich for her Dedication and Compassion

Jake Mendlinger, Community Contributor

Comsewogue School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Quinn was recently named the Brookhaven Town Board Women’s Recognition Honoree by Councilman Jonathan Kornreich. Dr. Quinn was chosen for the award based on her outstanding leadership and dedication to her staff, students, and community.

The Brookhaven Town Board Women’s Recognition Award celebrates the achievements and contributions of women who have made a significant impact on the community. This prestigious honor highlights individuals who demonstrate leadership, dedication, and compassion in their respective fields.

In presenting her with her honor, Councilman Kornreich highlighted two attributes he said exemplifies why Dr. Quinn is so deserving of this honor: her collaboration and compassion. “Dr. Quinn always makes sure to carefully consider the perspectives of all stakeholders when she makes a decision, and I think this level of transparency and engagement is part of the reason why the school district enjoys such broad support within the community,” Councilman Kornreich said.

He further emphasized that Dr. Quinn's unwavering commitment to the community and her leadership qualities made her a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor. “Dr. Quinn deeply cares about all of the students at Comsewogue and sees them as whole people, not just students. By setting this tone from the top, she has set an example that has infused the whole district with a family-like feeling of inclusivity that creates an environment in which every child can grow into the best version of themselves.”

Dr. Quinn’s exceptional leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive, caring educational environment have made her a vital figure in the Comsewogue community. Her ability to lead with both heart and mind has garnered respect from colleagues, students, and families alike, and this recognition underscores the positive impact she has had on countless lives.

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For more information about the Comsewogue School District, please visit the District’s website at https://www.comsewogue.k12.ny.us/. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComsewogueSD.

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SEE PHOTOS: The Longwood Central School District Safety Committee, and the Coram and Middle Island civic associations partnered up.

Peggy Spellman Hoey, Patch Staff

BROOKHAVEN TOWN, NY — Dozens of volunteers kicked off a beautification initiative, picking up garbage, along Route 25A in Coram, Middle Island, Gordon Heights, and Ridge as part of "Take Back 25" on Sunday, Brookhaven Town officials said.

The event was organized, in partnership with the Longwood Central School District Safety Committee, the Coram and Middle Island civic associations, as well as local officials, to bring together residents eager to improve their community.

It was an event a long in the making due to bad weather.

Supervisor Dan Panico noted that although the rain pushed the event back three times, "a large group of dedicated volunteers came out."

"Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success," he said. "Over the next three weeks, leading up to the Great Brookhaven Cleanup on May 1, our parks, waste management, and highway crews will be out on Saturdays cleaning up across all six council districts in Brookhaven Town."

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"We were to begin the effort yesterday, but the rain also canceled that effort," he added.

Officials are looking forward to building on the community clean-up efforts through the town-wide clean-up program, which culminates in the Great Brookhaven Cleanup on May 17.

For more information on the Great Brookhaven Cleanup, visit www.brookhavenny.gov/cleanup or call 631-451-TOWN.