Attention News Editor:

News Feature                For Immediate Release

                                                                            May 23, 2006

May is Rabies Awareness Month

Animals are more active in spring and summer so it is important people ensure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date. That includes riding horses as well as cats and dogs. It’s the law!

Protect your family and pets from rabies in the following ways:

• Have your pets vaccinated according to instructions from your veterinarian.

• Do not feed wild animals. You may be putting your family in danger.

• Warn your children to stay away from wild or stray animals.

• Discourage wild animals from taking up residence in your home or on your property by covering potential entrances such as uncapped chimneys, loose shingles and openings in attics, roofs and eaves.

• Do not trap wild animals that are causing damage to your property. Instead, contact a professional animal control officer to remove nuisance animals.

• Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location. It’s illegal and you could be spreading diseases.

• Do not keep wildlife as pets. It is against the law.

• Report any animals behaving strangely to your local animal control office or Public Health.

• Do not touch dead or sick animals. Bury or dispose of them carefully and make sure pets cannot get at the carcasses.

• If you, or any member of your family, have been in contact with a rabid animal, contact Public Health, your doctor or go to your local emergency room immediately.

• Have all dead, sick or easily captured bats that have come in contact with a human or pet, tested for rabies. Do not touch the bat. Contact your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency for testing.

For further information call Public Health at 376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

Source:  Ministry of Natural Resources

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Attachment: Photo; MOH Dr. Hazel Lynn takes her dog Kokanee to the vet for annual check-up and rabies vaccination.

For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Program Manager, Rabies

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 ext. 230