February 27, 2002
Pet Fair shot in the furry arm for rabies prevention
Pet Fair provides rabies vaccine and licenses for 240 area animals
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
At the rate of one per minute, two local veterinarians dispensed rabies shots to 240 area pets Saturday afternoon at the Fifth Annual Pet Fair.
Held at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, the Pet Fair attracted all manner of dog - large and small, cheerful and cowering - with a sprinkling of cats thrown in for good measure. After getting their pets inoculated, canine owners stepped to another table to get their dog a license. The 247 licenses issued made this one of the most successful pet fairs ever.
Although the furry subjects in question might have disagreed with that assessment. But despite their unhappiness at the situation, most braved their fears admirably and there were no dust ups among the hundreds of animals. For the dogs, the sniffing and whining did outweigh wagging by a huge ratio while the cats quietly cowered in a roomful of their sworn enemies
"She did really well in line, she's really lots of bark and no bite," said Tom Beery, who along with his wife, Karen, as he comforted his seven-year-old Schnauzer, Lady, after her vaccine. "She was really brave in the car coming here, too."
Pet Fair organizers realize that a busy, working family might have trouble finding time to take their dog to the vet. Coupled with the expense of the vaccines on top of the examination fee, many pet owners procrastinate. By offering the vaccines at cost and at a convenient time, Pet Fair organizers appealed to hundreds of pet owners.
"I came for the cheap shots," said Paul DeBusschere, who brought his two daughters, Keely, 9, and Kimberly, 7, plus a dog and a cat to the fair.
The Fifth Annual Pet Fair was sponsored by Grand Traverse County and proceeds were earmarked for A.C. Paw, an animal assistance organization based in Antrim County. Numerous A.C. Paws volunteers helped with the event.
"I help out because this is fun and a good time, the hours just fly by," said Misha Barney, an A.C. Paw volunteer at the fair.
Drs. David Burke and Susan Hall volunteered their time for the event, spending four hours straight wielding hypodermics and comforting the pets as best they could, having the most success with the bribe of a treat.
"There's a lot of people who will not bring their animals into a vet's office for a rabies vaccine who will come here," Burke noted. "While it's always best to bring a pet in so we can establish a relationship, this way they can get their vaccine."
Busy professionals, they donated their time for the afternoon for two reasons: a love of animals and a determination to help prevent the spread of rabies. While the disease is not a problem in northern Michigan yet, though Burke noted that it has been found in wild bats in Leelanau County, it is heading this way.
"Rabies spreads through the wildlife and 10-15 years ago it wasn't a problem in the eastern United States but then it started in Florida," Burke said. "Ever since then it spreads a little farther north each year and now it is in Ohio and Pennsylvania, so it is only a matter of time before it reaches Michigan."
Animal Control manager Ed Hickey agreed that the county holds the Pet Fair every year to shore up the area's defense against rabies. Also, the fair allows residents a chance to get legal as a rabies vaccine is required before a dog owner can obtain the state-mandated dog license.
"With this event, there is no excuse not to get a rabies vaccine for your pet," said Hickey, who supervises two other Animal Control Officers for Grand Traverse County. "Anytime we are contacted about a dog problem, that is the first thing we ask is if they have an license and therefor their rabies shot."