Once again health officials are teaming up in a bid to control rabies in dogs and cats.
This fall the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit will work with participating veterinarians through out the City of Kawartha Lakes, County of Haliburton and Northumberland County to provide reduced-cost rabies vaccination clinics.
Officials say it’s intended to assist pet owners with financial challenges to ensure all animals have access to important vaccinations.
“The HKPR District Health Unit has investigated 375 animal bite or scratch exposures since the beginning of 2023,” says Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Environmental Health with the HKPR District Health Unit. “You can help protect the health of your four-legged friends by ensuring your dog or cat is up to date on vaccinations. Rabies is fatal, so getting pets vaccinated is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.”
Ovcharovich adds, “By offering more clinics and dates this fall we can reach more people and more pets. If you are a pet owner who faces financial challenges, then the Reduced-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics are for you.”
The most common transmitters of rabies in Ontario are bats, foxes, skunks, and raccoons; however, infected pets and other domestic animals can also spread rabies.
Rabies vaccination of pets and some livestock is the only mandatory vaccination of animals in Ontario.
Pet owners must ensure that their cats, dogs, and ferrets are vaccinated against rabies at three months old and ensure that the animal is revaccinated against rabies by the date specified in the certificate of immunization.
In April, the Health Unit partnered with two veterinary clinics offering rabies vaccinations at a reduced cost where a total of 214 animals were vaccinated, including 154 dogs and 60 cats.
This fall, the Health Unit expects more pets to be vaccinated by partnering with seven veterinary clinics to offer Reduced-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics on multiple dates.
This September and October, pet owners can get their dog or cat vaccinated against rabies for a reduced cost at the following participating veterinary clinics:
Date: Friday, September 29, 2023
- Cambray Veterinary Services (Haliburton Feed and Seed, 138 Mallard Road, Haliburton)
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
- Kawartha Animal Hospital (130 Angeline Street South, Lindsay) from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Ganaraska Animal Clinic (146 Rose Glen Road South, Port Hope) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
