Friday, May 02, 2014
Perth District Health Unit
PDHU Hosting Pet Photo Contest to Celebrate Rabies Awareness Month
Calling all dog and cat owners! The Health Unit is hosting a pet photo contest to honour Rabies Awareness Month in May. “Rabies month is a chance for us to remind pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies to protect their pets and their family,” says Dale Lyttle, Senior Public Health Inspector. “Just as importantly, we also want to remind parents how to protect their children from being bitten by an animal.”
Pet Photo Contest
The Health Unit is inviting pet owners to upload their favourite photo of their dog or cat to our Facebook event page. All participants will be entered into a random draw for a pet-friendly prize pack at the end of the month. For contest details, visit: www.facebook.com/pdhealthunit.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a dangerous disease for both humans and animals. The virus spreads through bites and scratches by an animal with rabies. Vaccine can be given after a bite to prevent rabies, but once the disease develops in a human it is almost always fatal.
Protect your Pets
It is the law in Ontario that cats and dogs over 3 months of age are vaccinated for rabies.
Protect your Family
To help protect your children from being bitten by animals like cats and dogs, teach them the "Three Times Rule” before they approach a pet:
1. Ask a parent if it's okay
2. Ask the owner of the animal if it's okay
3. Ask the pet by allowing it to smell your hand.
“It’s also important that children know when not to approach a pet,” says Lyttle. Bad times to approach a pet are: when it is hurt, eating, afraid, when it has babies close by, and when it is unfamiliar or unattended.
If you or your child is bitten by an animal:
- Wash the bite or scratch with soap and water
- Do your best to get the contact information of the animal’s owner
- Call your family doctor or go to the nearest hospital for treatment
- Report the incident to the Perth District Health Unit: 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267.
For More Information:
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca
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