For the first time in three years, reduced-cost rabies clinics are returning to the Northumberland County.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is teaming up with select veterinarians in Brighton and Campbellford to provide the clinics on Saturday, October 1.
The cost for rabies vaccination at these clinics is $40 per animal.
The health unit indicates it will be cash only, no appointments needed.
The clinics are also being held in Fenelon Falls, Lindsay and Port Hope.
The health unit indicates pet owners are urged to keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and also bring proof of their pet’s most recent rabies vaccination if possible. COVID-19 precautions will be in place, with masks required to be worn indoors and recommended if unable to physically distance. Everyone is asked to follow the COVID-19 protocols, and anyone who is feeling sick should stay home.
“If you are a pet owner who faces financial challenges, then the Reduced-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics are for you,” Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Health Protection with the HKPR District Health Unit says in a statement. “Rabies is fatal, so getting pets vaccinated is an important part of caring for animals and being a responsible pet owner. By vaccinating your four-legged friend, you are also protecting the health of your family and loved ones.”
Here is a list of clinics being offered in Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes:
Brighton
- Presqu’ile Animal Hospital (46 Prince Edward St.), 9 am to 1 pm (or while supplies last)
Campbellford
- English Line Veterinary Services (527 County Rd 38), 9 am to Noon
Fenelon Falls
- Fenelon Animal Clinic (474 County Road 121), 9 am to Noon
Lindsay
- Kawartha Animal Hospital (130 Angeline St S.) 8 am to Noon
Port Hope
- Dale Veterinary Clinic (121 Toronto Rd., Unit 131), 2-5 pm (Registration starts at 1:30 pm)
- Ganaraska Animal Clinc (146 Rose Glen Rd. S.), 9 am to 1 pm
The Health Unit notes that the Reduced-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics do not include an examination of pets. Owners will need to schedule another appointment with their vet to have their pet fully screened.
The timing of the Reduced-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic comes only days after World Rabies Day on September 28 – a global event meant to highlight the importance of rabies vaccination to protect pets and people. “It’s a timely reminder of that we need to be vigilant against rabies, especially if we encounter wild animals or come in contact with unvaccinated pets like dogs and cats,” Ovcharovich says.
Rabies can be transmitted to humans when there is contact with the saliva of an infected animal through a bite, lick or scratch. In each of the past three years, the Health Unit has investigated more than 600 animal bite/scratch incidents in Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
