Huron Perth Public Health will be hosting rabies vaccination clinics for pets.
HPPH are reminding everyone how important it is to vaccinate your pets against the deadly virus. Patrick Landry, Public Health Inspector with Huron Perth Public Health, says vaccinating domestic dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies is provincial law, and there's good reason for that.
"Rabies is introduced to most households through their pets. It's very common that the pet can have contact with wildlife that has contracted rabies and once that wildlife has passed rabies on to the pet, that pet can now introduce rabies into the household," Landry warned.
Landry adds that rabies is almost always fatal when contracted if a pet or human isn't vaccinated. He says it's an awful way for a pet to die, and everyone should ensure their furry friends are protected.
The clinics will be at Blyth Veterinary Services August 16 from 1-4 p.m. and August 17 from 9 a.m. until noon. There will be another at St. Helen's Community Hall on September 4 from 1-4 p.m. The shots are $30 cash per animal.
When it comes to the shots routine for pets, Landry says they require multiple vaccinations throughout their lives, with the first being at 3 months old.
"The first dose of a rabies vaccine that an animal gets is known as the primary dose and it's good for one year. After that they get vaccinated the next year, and after that, their vaccination status is good for 3 years. So after that first set, they get vaccinated every 3 years," said Landry.
There are a few animals that can commonly carry rabies in the region, and if one bites your pet and they aren't protected it can be a bad outcome.
"Particularly in Huron and Perth County, our animal of real concern is skunks. They have been our most latest cases where positive cases are found. Rabies is a horrible, horrible way to die, not only for people but it is a horrible way to lose a pet," Landry added. “Rabies is a fatal disease to humans. Though cases of rabies in humans in Canada are extremely rare, vaccination of pets helps reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals. Rabies is still found regularly in the wildlife population in Ontario."
Landry adds raccoons, bats, foxes and other rodents can carry the disease, as well.
“Our goal is to be able to vaccinate as many pets as possible for owners on a tight budget who are not able to see a vet regularly otherwise,” shared Dr. Lee Siertesma from Blyth Veterinary Services. “We apply for a special license from our governing licensing body, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and partner with HPPH to put on these events. We have held these clinics annually for many years, after detecting rabies in a local farm animal years ago.”
