Pet Tips

Here’s a tip that could save you from 10 days of separation from your pet, hundreds of dollars, or, save your pet’s life. And, it might only cost $10. Vaccinate your dogs or cats against rabies at your vet’s office, or for just $10, at PHS/SPCA’s low-cost vaccination clinic the first Wednesday of each month, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As some of you know, a rabies vaccination is a prerequisite for a San Mateo County animal license. If that doesn’t convince you, consider this real, recent scenario. A resident’s dog tangled with a raccoon, killing the wild animal. This dog was not vaccinated, and per county laws, was required to be quarantined at PHS/SPCA until the raccoon could be tested for rabies. This process can take up to 10 days. The resident was lucky. Had the raccoon’s body not been available for testing, her dog would have been quarantined for six months; the first 30 days at PHS/SPCA and remainder at her home. No walks, no dog parks, no outings of any kind for five months past the initial 30-day quarantine period at PHS/SPCA. Rabies is incredibly rare; make it impossible for your pet to contract by getting one simple and inexpensive vaccination.