Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/September 21, 2015 – The annual low-cost vaccination clinics for cats and dogs will take place throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties on October 3, 2015. The rabies vaccination is offered at a low cost of $25 dollars per pet and most clinics run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This annual clinic is a cooperative effort between local veterinarians and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health. Residents are asked to check the full list of participating vets for specific times and locations by either visiting www.hpepublichealth.ca or calling 613.966.5500 extension 677.
Each year local vets vaccinate thousands of cats and dogs through these clinics. “When the clinics first started, local vets were vaccinating an average of 5000 pets,” says Dave Dodgson, Program Manager for Environmental Health with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, “Ensuring that pets get vaccinated is an effective way to prevent rabies in humans.”
Just over 30% of Canadian households have a cat or dog. That means in Hastings and Prince Edward counties there are just over 14,000 cats and dogs, all of which are legally required to have up to date rabies vaccinations. Dodgson adds, “There can be many benefits to pet ownership, but sometimes the cost of caring for them can be higher than owners expect. In an effort to help people meet their legal requirements of pet ownership, we promote these annual low-cost rabies vaccination clinics.”
To prevent the spread of rabies:
- Make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies.
- Never touch an animal you don’t know.
- Do not touch dead, hurt or sick animals.
- Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals.
- Do not keep wildlife, including raccoons, as pets.
- Contact your municipal animal control agency if you see a potentially rabid animal.
If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, contact your health care provider as well as the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health at 613.966.5500 extension 677, to report the incident.
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health:
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) operates one of 36 health units across Ontario. HPEPH provides dozens of programs and services, along with reliable health information, to a population of approximately 150,000 people in a 7,000 square km catchment area encompassing 17 municipalities. HPEPH’s mission is to enable the people in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties to achieve and maintain optimal health through health protection and promotion, as well as disease and injury prevention. For more information, please visit www.hpepublichealth.ca . You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Dave Dodgson
Program Manager, Environmental Health
Phone: 613.966.5500 or 1.800.267.2803 extension 248
Email: Ddodgson@hpeph.ca
All Clinics from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm unless otherwise specified.