News

SIMCOE, December 18, 2015– With the re-emergence of raccoon rabies in Haldimand County, residents are advised to keep their pets up to date with their rabies vaccinations.  The unseasonably warm weather means that wildlife can remain active, increasing the chance pets may come in contact with a raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote that could be carrying the rabies virus.

To help residents protect their pets, a number of Haldimand County veterinary clinics are offering a temporary low cost rabies vaccination program.  Dogs and cats will be administered a rabies vaccination by a qualified staff member at participating offices (listed below) for a cost of just $15 (plus HST).   This is a temporary program, running only until January 30th 2016. It is open only to residents of Haldimand County, Six Nations and New Credit.

“As a group, local veterinarians felt strongly that we need to do all that we can to protect the animals in our community” explains Dr. Paul Robinson of the Grand River Veterinary Hospital in Caledonia. “We know that a large number of pets remain unvaccinated against rabies, and cost is often the barrier.  In situations such as these, the College of Veterinarians allows us to vaccinate pets without a full medical examination. By providing this opportunity to vaccinate pets against rabies, without the cost of a full medical exam, we hope to reach a number of animals that would otherwise remain unprotected and at risk of contracting this horrible illness.”

People wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should contact a participating veterinary clinic directly. Until January 30th there is no need to obtain a Rabies Vaccination Voucher from Haldimand County offices in advance – simply contact an office from the list of participating clinics and book an appointment. This program is only intended for those animals who are not up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

“The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is thrilled that the local veterinary community has recognized the need to raise vaccination rates among our companion animals, and that they have made this generous offer to the people of Haldimand County, Six Nations and New Credit” says Sandy Stevens, Program Manager of the Environmental Health Team at the health unit. “Rabies vaccination is an important public health measure, protecting the animals with whom we share our homes, which in turns protects our families from the risk of contracting rabies.” The health unit strongly recommends people take advantage of this opportunity, and to also remember to vaccinate barn cats that may be living on their property.

For more information or to book an appointment for a rabies vaccination, contact any of these participating clinics:

• Dunnville Veterinary Clinic 905-774-7642
• Grand River Veterinary Hospital (Caledonia) 905-765-0001
• Caledonia Veterinary Clinic 905-765-6206
• Hagersville Veterinary Services 905-768-1611
• Cayuga Veterinary Clinic 905-772-1576

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Media contacts:

Sandy Stevens

Program Manager, Environmental Health Team

Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit

[email protected]

519-426-6170 Ext. 3216

Dr. Paul Robinson or Dr. Tammy Hornack

Grand River Veterinary Hospital

905-765-0001