May is Rabies Awareness Month.
Not only is the Durham Region Health Department reminding residents that rabies vaccination is mandatory for pet owners, they’re also stressing the importance of keeping everyone away from wild animals.
Rabies is a preventable disease which is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.
“A key component of rabies prevention and control is responsible pet ownership, including rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats over three months old,” said Shannon Lewis, Manager, Health Protection with the Health Department. “Pet owners can protect their families and pets by ensuring all dogs and cats are currently vaccinated against rabies.”
To help with rabies vaccinations for pets, Pickering Animal Services is hosting a low-cost rabies vaccination and microchip clinic on May 6. Find out more by clicking here.
Rabies is also present in the wildlife population and associated with foxes, skunks, bats, raccoons, and coyotes; between 2017 and 2021, six bats tested positive for rabies in Durham Region. The following precautions are recommended to help avoid potential exposure to rabies from wild animals:
- Avoid all wild animals, especially bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes.
- Avoid contact with dead or sick animals.
- Keep pets away from wild animals; pets should be kept indoors at night or should be supervised when outside.
- Do not attempt to care for sick animals. Contact your local animal service and ask for assistance.
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