HEALTH - Low Cost Rabies/Microchip Clinics Kickoff this Weekend in Ontario

With raccoon strain rabies in the community after a ten year absence, including two cats infected with it, rabies vaccination for Ontario pets is more important than ever.

Starting this weekend, low cost rabies and microchip clinics will be taking place in the province for those concerned about the cost of the injection.

Dr. Jeff Rabinovich of Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital is once again offering the clinics - 23 this year - in partnership with Urban Animal Corporation, and hosted by Pet Valu and PetSmart stores.

The cost is just $25 per rabies vaccine, $25 per microchip, or $50 for both including HST (cash only).

Every participant will receive a lifetime subscription on HomeSafeTM, a global cloud-based registration and recovery service, courtesy of Urban Animal Corporation and Rabinovich.

HomeSafeTM provides the only on-line automated recovery system that allows all members of the community to post their own lost and found reports.

It facilitates instant sharing of pet information among the general public and organizations in the community, and across North America when a pet goes missing.

With an increase in clinics in 2017, organizers are confident more animals than ever before will be protected from disease and better insured of a return home if they get lost.

This weekend first-come, first-serve clinics will be held in Brockville, Waterloo and Kitchener.

Visit Urban Animal Corporation’s website for complete details, dates, locations and contact information.

First Case of Rabies Found in Brantford, Ontario

Until last week, the majority of raccoon rabies cases in Ontario were concentrated in the Hamilton area.

That changed with the first reported case found in a raccoon from Brant County.

Along with the raccoon in Brantford, seven other new cases were reported by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - five skunks and a raccoon from Hamilton and a raccoon from Haldimand County.

The total number of raccoon strain rabies is now 108, plus the two fox strain rabies cases since December 2015.

Pet owners interested in the low cost rabies vaccination and microchip/HomeSafe clinics, offered by Dr. Jeff Rabinovich from the Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital, PJ’s Pets, PetCulture and HomeSafe™, have one more opportunity.

There is a clinic on Saturday, May 28th from noon until 4pm at PJ’s Pets in Brockville.

Stay up-to-date on the rabies situation in Ontario by visiting the government website.

Over 100 Rabies Cases in Ontario

The latest update from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reports 100 cases of raccoon strain rabies and two of fox strain rabies in the province since December 2015.

The most recent cases - nine reported last week - were all in the Hamilton area and all the raccoon strain. They were discovered in five raccoons and four skunks.

Pet owners are strongly encouraged to ensure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. In fact, rabies vaccines are required by law in Ontario.

Low cost rabies vaccination and microchip clinics, put on by Dr. Jeff Rabinovich from the Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital, PJ’s Pets, PetCulture and HomeSafe™, continue this weekend in Peterborough, Milton and Burlington making it more affordable for pet owners to comply.

In the meantime, the Ontario government continues with its rabies control operations to contain the spread of the disease.

Strong Start for Ontario Rabies Clinics

In Ontario 331 dogs and 83 cats are now safe from rabies - at a very affordable price - thanks to three low cost rabies clinics last weekend.

As well, 152 pets have lifetime protection through the HomeSafe™ Return to Owner (RTO) service.

Dr. Jeff Rabinovich

The team of Dr. Jeff Rabinovich from the Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital, PJ’s Pets, PetCulture and HomeSafe™ will continue to provide low cost rabies vaccines, microchips and subscriptions this weekend.

Clinics will be held at PJ’s Pets in Brampton May 7th from noon until 4pm, at Peculture in Waterloo May 8th from 10am until 1pm, and Petculture in Kitchener from 2pm until 5pm. See complete schedule here.

The cost is $25 per rabies vaccine, $25 per microchip/HomeSafe™ registration combo, or $50 for both including HST (cash only).

With the upcoming closure of a large number of PJ’s Pet and Petculture stores, pet owners expressed their hope there will be new locations for the clinics in the future.

“One lady in for a microchip plus HomeSafe™ subscription, was in tears thanking us because this was the only way she would be able to afford this, and she really wanted the peace of mind afforded by chipping and registration,” said Rabinovich.

HomeSafe™ is North America’s only Automated National Online Registry and Lifetime Return to Owner (RTO) service for pets. Pet owners use any online device to maintain current information about their pet without charge during a lifetime of human/animal experiences.