UPDATE: Following the August 16, 2024 notice below, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has advised the Westport Veterinary Clinic has been added to the list of Rabies Clinics operating on September 11, 2023 to that date from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

August 16, 2024

Rabies is a deadly disease that can be prevented. Help prevent the spread of rabies by vaccinating your furry companions who add so much to your lives.

Together with partner veterinarians, municipalities and local partners, the Health Unit is offering low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics throughout the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. These Rabies Vaccination Clinics will be held on September 11. Not all area vets have the capacity to participate in the low cost clinics since the pandemic so some areas where clinics operated previously may still not have a clinic. To find the locations where clinics will be held, call 1-800-660-5853 or visit the Health Unit’s Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic page. Vaccinations are $25 cash only. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Clinics will be held on September 11 at the following times and locations:

  • 1-5pm – Brockville Shopping Centre (Stingers) – 125 Stewart Blvd
  • 2-6pm – Ferguson Forest Center – County Road 44 Kemptville
  • 2-6pm – Merrickville Fire Hall  – 317 Brock Street West
  • 4-6pm – Augusta Township Public Works Garage –  5328 Algonquin road
  • 2-6pm – Ed Yandeau Operation Centre – 950 Sophia Street North, Prescott
  • 2-6pm – Blueberry Creek Veterinary Hospital – 50 Lanark Rd. (Hwy 511)
  • 2-6pm – Carleton Place Veterinary Hospital – 120 Coleman St. Carleton Place K7C 4M7
  • 2-6pm – Carleton Veterinary Services & Lanark Veterinary Clinic – 88 D Cornelia St. W Smiths Falls
  • 2-6pm – Perth Veterinary Clinic – 118 Christie Lake Road
  • 2-6pm – Westport Veterinary Clinic – 39 Concession, Westport

“On behalf of the Health Unit, I would like to extend our gratitude to our municipalities and our local veterinary services for assisting and supporting the coordination of these clinics over the years,” said Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Linna Li.

The goal of hosting these clinics is to help provide rabies vaccinations to as many cats and dogs as possible. It is important that pet cats or dogs remain up-to-date with their rabies vaccination as they could be at risk of getting rabies. By increasing the vaccination coverage in pets we will help to minimize the potential transmission of rabies to humans.

In addition, hunters preparing for the hunting season are reminded to get their dogs vaccinated against rabies. While running in the bush, hunting dogs have the potential of interacting with wild life that may have rabies. To help protect some wild animals against rabies, the Ministry of Natural Resources releases bait in certain areas in August.

You can protect yourself and your family from animal bites by staying away from unknown or wild animals. If you or any member of your family has been bitten, scratched or in contact with a potentially rabid animal, seek medical attention from your health care provider, or go to your local hospital emergency department immediately. The Health Unit follows up on all reports of bites. If you are the owner of a pet involved in a biting incident, regain control over your pet, provide assistance to the person bitten and provide your contact information to the person so the Health Unit can reach out to you to conduct a risk assessment. Be sure to keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination certificate.

For more information on rabies, visit: Rabies – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. For rabies or animal bites-related questions call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685. You can also connect with LGLHealthUnit on FacebookX  or Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.