The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), in cooperation with local veterinarians, will be holding rabies vaccination clinics this month throughout the Eastern Counties. The clinics will take place on September 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. and will offer the rabies vaccine for cats and dogs at a cost of $20 per pet. No examination will take place. Details about clinic locations can be found on the EOHU’s website at www.eohu.ca.

Rabies is a deadly disease that can infect wild animals such as bats, raccoons and skunks. However, pets can also become infected and then pass it on to people. Rabies is spread through rabid animal bites, or through contact with a rabid animal’s saliva. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.

In order to protect the community against rabies, it’s required by law that all cats and dogs three months of age or older be vaccinated against the disease. Even if your cat or dog is an indoor pet, they still need to receive the rabies vaccine because bats carrying rabies can enter into residences.

The following tips can help protect your family and your pets from rabies exposure:

• Keep your pets’ rabies vaccination up to date.

• Try to keep bats out of your home. Do not touch or pick up bats with your bare hands.

• Teach your children to keep a safe distance from wild or domestic animals they don’t know.

• Supervise your pets when they’re outdoors.

• Have your pets spayed or neutered.

• Call Animal Control to remove any stray animals from your neighbourhood.

• Report all animal bites to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.

For more information on rabies and the upcoming rabies vaccination clinics, visit www.eohu.ca. You can also call the EOHU at 613-933-1375 or at 1 800 267-7120 and ask for Health Line.