Rabies Vaccine Baiting in Hamilton

Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry in East Hamilton to test Rabies Vaccine Effectiveness

Hamilton, ON – June 18, 2021 – The City of Hamilton is advising residents that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently working in parts of the city to test the effectiveness of the oral rabies vaccination program.

This testing involves a field assessment whereby MNRF will:

1. Humanely live-trap raccoons and skunks in experimental plots,
2. Collect a blood sample from each captured animal at a centralized processing facility, and
3. Release each animal at its point of capture after a full recovery. The blood samples collected from each animal will allow the MNRF to verify whether the animal has developed immunity to rabies.

The field assessment is taking place in parts of east Hamilton, including Stoney Creek, Winona and Glanbrook, and will be completed by Friday June 24, 2016.

Traps are being placed in wooded, obscure sites that are raccoon and skunk habitats and will be posted with information notices to explain the program should anyone come across them. The MNRF is also advising landowners in affected areas via letter to ask permission before they set any traps on property. 

Please direct any questions about this program to the MNRF’s rabies information line at 1-888-574-6656 or visit www.ontario.ca/rabies.

Important note: Animal Services is not involved in this testing process and should not be contacted unless it is to report an animal that is sick, injured, deceased or displaying unusual behavior. Animal Services also cannot intervene, remove or euthanize healthy animals.