Rabies and Microchip Clinics and other Temporary Facilities

Under certain circumstances, the College provides opportunities for programs or clinics to operate from an unaccredited facility. Those interested in hosting or sponsoring a temporary clinic or program are encouraged to review the Position Statement and submit an application form. The College requires two weeks notice to process an application for a temporary facility.

All the College's application forms for hosting temporary facilities are now available in an easy-to-use online format under Forms & Applications.

Programs which operate from temporary facilities include:

• Cardiac screening program
• Conducting programs for the implantation of electronic identification devices in companion animals
• Congenital deafness screening programs for companion animals
• Ophthalmic screening program
• Rabies vaccinations

Information on the College’s practice standards and policy for temporary facilities

The Request for Authorization of a Rabies Program form must be submitted to – and approved by – the College prior to hosting a rabies program.

Following completion of a Rabies Clinic, you will be sent a Data Report Form via email.  The information that is collected on that report includes the following:

• number of cats vaccinated
• number of dogs vaccinated
• number of animals reported to have bitten a person in 10 days prior to the date of the proposed rabies vaccination
• number of animals with no prior vaccination history
• number of clients with no primary care veterinarian
• number of Exemption Certificates issued

Please keep track of these details during your Rabies Clinic to complete the Data Report Form.

Report on Temporary Facility – Rabies Clinic

Background:

In June 2018, the College received a letter from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association then President, Dr. Gwen Jeun sharing Ontario Veterinary Medical Association’s members’ concerns regarding the holding of rabies clinics in unaccredited facilities.

In this letter, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association raised concerns as to whether all veterinarians who apply for a certificate of accreditation for a temporary facility for hosting a rabies vaccination clinic meet the procedural safeguards included in the rabies program standard, namely;

• The requirement regarding cooperation with local health authorities;
• Inviting local veterinarians to participate in the rabies clinic held in unaccredited facilities; and
• Asking basic questions about the general health of the animal in order to determine whether or not the animal should be vaccinated.

While the College has no knowledge that would indicate temporary rabies clinics are not implemented consistently to the expected standard, the College responded to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and offered to conduct a retrospective random audit to determine if and what gaps in expectation exist.

Report on Temporary Facility – Rabies Clinic

Conclusion:

The College commends veterinarians who participate in hosting rabies programs. The prevalent theme in the feedback provided by these veterinarians was that they understood the importance of these public health initiatives related to animal rabies vaccinations. It was evident from the information provided by the respondents that the predominant majority comply with all procedural safeguards included in the rabies program standard. Accordingly, at this time, there is no recommendation to alter the current rabies program related to temporary facilities. The College will continue to communicate to veterinarians as a reminder, such requirements as contacting their local Public Health Unit and inviting local veterinarians to participate in rabies program held in unaccredited facilities.