Animal welfare agencies and advocates marked World Rabies Day on Sept. 28 by promoting prevention of the viral disease. In Greater Sudbury, some pet owners took part in a free vaccination clinic. Eight-month-old greyhound-lab mix, Kuromi, got her very first rabies vaccination at the clinic. “She’s my baby,” said owner Sahara Bellmore. “I want to make sure she’s alive and doesn’t get sick … and I’d rather her get her shots done now, than something happen and I regret it.” Kuromi was one of 50 pets taking part in the free rabies clinic this week hosted by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society in Sudbury. “It’s a preventable, zoonotic disease which means it can be spread to people,” said the manager of the clinic, Hope Lumbis. “By offering these free clinics, we’re hoping to remove the barriers for people who may not be able to get these vaccines for their pets on a regular day.” Lumbis told CTV News that cost is one of the largest barriers for owners when it comes to getting pets vaccinated. To help, global pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim provided 500 rabies vaccines to the SPCA, which distributed them to eight locations across the province. “We’re hoping that if more animals have this vaccine that if they do get bit that we’re not contributing to the spread of the disease, the virus,” Lumbis said. Appointments for the free rabies clinic are already booked up at the Greater Sudbury Animal Centre – but the agency holds Wellness Days every Wednesday, providing exams and vaccines at lower costs. Owners could also visit their veterinarian to get up-to-date shots for their pets. Rabies can infect any mammal, including people, pets, livestock and wildlife and be fatal. After each rabies vaccination, pet owners are provided with a certificate and tag with a specific identification number assigned to the pet. Getting the vaccine didn’t seem to faze Kuromi. “She did pretty good, actually. I think she was brave,” Bellmore said as the young dog was jumping around and barking at other dogs near the centre.
