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.

Ontario Low Cost Rabies Clinics: Timely with rabies outbreak

Dr. Jeff Rabinovich from the Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital, PJ’s Pets, PetCulture and HomeSafe™ are coming together to once again offer low cost rabies and microchip clinics in Ontario.

Dr. Rabinovich is committed to the health of animals in the community - not just their physical health by providing affordable vaccinations, but also their well-being if they ever become lost.

Five years ago, he was asked to hold rabies clinics at two PJ’s Pets Centres. “We put together a plan that would account for staffing, public awareness, and low cost, while providing the public with affordable Rabies immunization, microchip implantation, and Petlynx (HomeSafe™) registrations,” Rabinovich told InfoStream.

Over the years, the number of clinics expanded. Last year 1,300 animals were vaccinated and 600 animals were implanted with microchips, and provided with lifetime subscriptions to the HomeSafe™ Return to Owner (RTO) service.

Clinics begin on April 30th this year.

PJ’s Pets and PetCulture are providing locations, logistics and promotion, Bridletown Warden Animal Hospital is providing veterinary services, PetLynx is supplying HomeSafe™ lifetime subscriptions and CDMV is providing competitive pricing for microchips. A collaboration that enriches the pet owner and public health experience.

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

“In Southern Ontario that there has been an increased incidence in raccoon rabies. This may very well swell the numbers of people that seek vaccinations for their pets,” said Rabinovich.

Ninety-two rabies cases have been discovered - 90 of the raccoon rabies strain which hasn’t been seen in Ontario since 2005.

Since the beginning of April, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has distributed over 450,000 ONRAB rabies vaccine baits in the rabies control zones by airplane, helicopter and ground staff to combat the outbreak.

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.

BUSINESS - PJ's Pets Closing 27 Locations Across Canada

The pet store chain that includes PJ’s Pets, Petculture and Oliver & Pets Co. is closing 27 of its 39 stores across Canada.

"We are saddened to say that we are closing our doors after almost 50 years of serving the pet community across Canada," said Brad Hamilton, Vice President of PJ's Pets, in a press release. "Our business was able to thrive for so many years as a result of our loyal associates and amazing customers. We encourage our customers to take advantage of the extraordinary savings on all of our remaining merchandise."

Store closing sales for PJ's Pets & Pets Unlimited began Friday, April 22nd at the Canadian locations with discounts of up to 30% on all on food, pet supplies, accessories, and more.

The 27 stores that are closing include one in Newfoundland and Labrador, one store in Prince Edward Island, six in Nova Scotia, three in New Brunswick, 11 in Ontario, and five in British Columbia. A detailed list of locations can be found here.

Low Cost Rabies & Microchip Clinics Beat Plan

Dr. Jeff Rabinovitch from the Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital brought a unique opportunity to the HomeSafe™ National Identification Initiative (NIDI) earlier this year. In the Province of Ontario there is a legal requirement to maintain a current rabies vaccination. Dr. Rabinovitch put together a group of collaborators to enrich the lives of people and pets in 14 communities by assisting them to be compliant for public health and identified in the HomeSafe™ National Registry.  

The events held at PJ’s Pets and PetCulture locations were promoted as Low Cost Rabies and Microchip Clinics by Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital.

Several organizations made these clinics possible:

• PJ's and PetCulture provided locations, local arrangements and promotion
• Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital provided veterinary and animal health services.
• PetLynx provided HomeSafe™ lifetime subscriptions.
• CDMV provided competitive pricing for microchip.
• PetsPlusUs provided each animal with an 8 week medical insurance benefit.

The results surpassed the original goal of serving 1,000 animals: 1,300 animals were vaccinated, 600 animals were implanted with microchips, all were provided with lifetime subscriptions to the HomeSafe™ Return to Owner (RTO) service and all were provided with PetsPlusUs Insurance. PJ's Pets/PetCulture as well as the other collaborators were beneficiaries of a great deal of community and pet owner goodwill.  

This innovative collaboration between a retailer, a veterinarian, the HomeSafe™ National Identification Initiative (NIDI) and an insurance company enriched the pet owner and public health experience in these North American communities. PetLynx Corporation invites similar proposals from other members of the Urban Animal industry.

About the HomeSafe™ National Identification Initiative (NIDI): this $30 million investment of online services intends to provide an online central record for every cat and dog in Canada by the end of the decade. 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.