Peterborough Public Health is helping North Kawartha residents prevent their pets from getting rabies.
The health unit will be hosting a low-cost rabies clinic in the township this Saturday, which will provide vaccines to residents for $30 per pet. Manager of Environmental Health Atul Jain says it is the law for all dogs and cats in Peterborough County to be vaccinated against the virus. But Jain also says it’s a good way to protect them and yourself.
Jain says there are no confirmed cases of rabies in raccoons and foxes in the county at this time. There was a confirmed case in a bat in 2016. But, the health unit says rabies is spreading across Ontario, after 149 cases last year.
According to the health unit, there is no treatment for rabies once symptoms start showing up. Jain says the effects of the virus can be devastating.
Low-cost rabies clinics in Peterborough County are held in collaboration with veterinarians in the area. Saturday’s clinic in Apsley will be held from noon until 2:00pm at the North Kawartha Community Centre.  The health unit says all dogs have to be leashed, and all cats have to be caged or restrained.
