Protecting your pets from rabies also helps protect you and your family.
Blyth Veterinary Services, in partnership with the Huron County Health Unit, is hosting low-cost rabies vaccination clinics at two different locations this spring.
Clinics will take place at Blyth Veterinary Services’ 234 Queen St. location on Friday, April 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Another clinic will be held at St. Helen’s Community Hall on Friday, May 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
No appointment is needed for any of the clinics.
The cost to vaccinate your dog or cat against rabies is $30, cash only. Please bring dogs on leashes and cats in carriers.
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system of animals. Rabies spreads from infected animals to people or other animals by saliva. Cats, dogs, and people may become infected with rabies when bitten by a rabid animal or when a rabid animal’s saliva comes into contact with broken skin or moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes.
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal in animals and humans. The best way to protect your pet and your family is to have your pet vaccinated.
Make sure that all dogs and cats, including those in the barn, are vaccinated against rabies. Pet owners are required by law (Regulation 567/90) to have all cats and dogs three months of age or over immunized against rabies. Failure to provide proof of vaccination to a Public Health Inspector investigating a biting incident may result in a charge being laid and a fine of up to $5,000 for the pet owner.
Dogs and cats often get into fights with wild animals. If you witness a fight, or if your dog or cat comes home with injuries from a fight and you believe it may have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal:
- Don’t handle your pet as there may be fresh saliva from a rabid animal on its coat.
- Isolate your pet.
- Contact your local veterinarian.
If you or someone in your family makes direct contact with an animal that may have rabies, contact your family doctor.
For more information, contact the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482-3416 or 1-877-837-6143.