May 30th
Keep your furry friends safe and healthy: Access our low-cost Rabies and microchip clinic

The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth is committed to promoting the human-animal bond while focusing on the responsible treatment of animals through education, collaboration, compliance, advocacy and care. Our goal is to establish a strong foundation to keep furry and human family members together. And one of the many ways we are doing so is by offering low-cost Rabies and microchip clinics every month.

Most pet owners would agree that one of their biggest fears is being unintentionally separated from their pet or losing their pet to an infection or a disease. Unfortunately, there are many ways in which your pet can get lost, from your pet escaping your property and running away to running and becoming lost when you are out on a walk. Your pet can be attacked by an infected, rabid animal while on a walk or even while lounging in your backyard. These are all incidents that can be avoided from becoming fatal!

Microchipping

Every year, countless unidentified and lost pets arrive at our shelter. Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience for both you and your beloved pet. This scenario, however, can be easily prevented by getting your pet microchipped.

The purpose of microchips is to provide a form of permanent identification. Microchips are tiny, about the size of a large grain of rice, and do not hurt your pet. They store a unique identification number and do not actively transmit any information. The microchip implanted in your dog or cat has no battery and no internal power source, so it sits inertly until a microchip scanner reads it.

It’s a simple procedure, it’s not expensive, and the risks are minimal. If you ever lose your pet, the chances of you finding them if they are microchipped are way higher.

Our Humane Society offers a low-cost weekly microchip appointments. You can book your appointment either online or via phone. Microchipping your pet only costs $30 at our clinic.

Vaccination against Rabies

Rabies is a lethal condition that is caused by the Lyssavirus, and it can infect all mammals, including humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent, about 5,000 cases of Rabies in animals are reported every year.

Symptoms may include:

• Vicious, erratic behaviour (the classic form)
• Foaming at the mouth
• Heightened sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli
• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Death from respiratory failure

Part of responsible pet ownership is following local rules and regulations and doing what is best for the health of your pet. Making sure your dog or cat is properly vaccinated for Rabies is part of that process.

Rabies is fatal once clinical signs appear; it is a disease where public safety concerns are paramount with mandatory reporting of suspected cases. Rabies response and prevention exist at all levels of government and are intended to protect animals and public health through vaccination, reporting and surveillance. Veterinarians are legally required to report animal bites and scratches to the local Medical Officer of Health so that the potential risk of Rabies can be assessed.

The rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is the only vaccine required by law. Fortunately, vaccination requirements for pets are straightforward, with the first vaccine for puppies and kittens at three months of age and a booster within one year of the first vaccine. Rabies vaccines in dogs and cats must be kept up-to-date for their entire lives and are updated on a one or three-year basis, depending on which vaccine your veterinarian uses.

Discussions about Rabies vaccination are important to have with your veterinarian starting at your pet’s first visit. At our Humane Society, you can get your pet their Rabies shots for as little as $30!

Costs

• $30 – Rabies vaccination, certificate, and tag
• $30 – Microchip and registration
• $50 – Both services combined

You can book an appointment for any of our services on our website, or call us at (519) 745-5615 ext 243.