Low-cost rabies clinics in Northumberland County are on hold because of COVID-19 restrictions, but the message is still to protect your pets.
The Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics normally held each fall are cancelled in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Public Health Manager of Health Protection Richard Ovcharovich tells Quinte News veterinarians did not feel comfortable with proceeding with the number of people who would normally go through such clinics.
He emphasized that pet owners still have a legal requirement to ensure their dog or cat is up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
He noted there had been a raccoon rabies outbreak in western Ontario recently.
“If your pet has been in a fight with another wild animal or stray animal for that matter, there’s a good potential that it may contract the rabies if the wild animal had rabies.”
The Health Unit’s call for pets to be vaccinated comes only days before World Rabies Day on Sept. 28 – a global event meant to highlight the importance of rabies vaccinations to protect pets and people.
“Rabies is fatal, so getting pets vaccinated is an important part of caring for animals and being a responsible pet owner,” Ovcharovich adds. “By vaccinating your four-legged friend, you are also protecting the health of your family and loved ones.”
He said that the aim is to resume the clinics in 2021.
