With Ontario seeing heightened rabies activity in 2026, including 23 confirmed rabies-positive bats reported, Barrie SPCA urging residents to keep pets protected
Monday marked World Rabies Day, with local pooches getting a leg up on their vaccines with a free shot today.
This first year of the program at the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre was a hit with a fully booked 25-appointment injection schedule.
“Rabies is the world’s deadliest zoonotic disease, but it’s one that can be entirely preventable, and we don’t want to have any financial barriers for people to be able to provide those vaccines for their animals,” Janna Handiak, operations manager at the centre, told BarrieToday at the clinic.
A veterinarian gives a rabies vaccine to a dog at the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre on Patterson Road in Barrie on Monday, which is World Rabies Day. | Kevin Lamb/BarrieToday
A zoonotic disease in an infectious illness that spreads naturally between animals and humans.
Rabies can be fatal for both pets and their owners.
Typically, a rabies vaccination appointment runs just over $100, so the savings is significant for many pet owners.
“In 2026, there’s heightened rabies activity, with 23 confirmed rabies-positive bats reported this year to date. And active raccoon rabies outbreaks have happened along the eastern and southern borders as well,” Handiak said.
Meanwhile, in a small examination room, Toby, who is six years old, is a small, nervous and shaky dog, who suddenly seems unsure of the benefits of the program on its surface, as a veterinarian fills out a questionnaire just before poking Toby’s behind with a syringe.
Not a peep was let out after the jab, as Toby was a good boy.
Toby’s owner, Daniele Eldridge called it “an easy process,” especially when it’s free.
How did she feel Toby handled the appointment?
“He was perfect, he loved it. He’s calm and he’s relaxed – he’s normally shaking, so this is really good,” the Barrie resident explained about his initial behaviour around the doctor.
The next patient in line, Chai, a fluffy little pup, who was genuinely nervous to be there, received their shot with little fuss as well. A lot of affection from the owner seemed to help ease the anxiety.
And with that, the pups are good to go for at least a year until they are due for their next shot against the terrible disease that is rabies.
Chai gets some love from their owner to relieve anxiety as they get a rabies vaccine at the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre on Patterson Road in Barrie on Monday, which is World Rabies Day. | Kevin Lamb/BarrieToday