Rabies scares on the rise in Alex
ALEXANDRA - The rise in rabies scare is one of the compelling reasons why Alex pet lovers must take their pets to the free Mobile Clinic Day at Eastbank High School on 20 September.
The rise in rabies scares is one of the compelling reasons why Alex pet lovers must take their pets to the free Mobile Clinic Day at Eastbank High School on 20 September.
The animal clinic will start at 9am and end at midday, with staff members and volunteers at the mobile clinic spaying, de-worming, and giving vaccinations and check-ups for dogs and cats.
Free pet food will be available and issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The SPCA urges residents and animal lovers to take advantage of the arrival of the mobile clinic and come in their numbers with their pets.
Despite being a preventable disease, rabies still plagues communities in South Africa, with up to 30 human cases of rabies being confirmed each year. This is considered an underestimate of the true number of cases that occur.
With World Rabies Day on 28 September, the main message is that rabies can be controlled in animals and prevented in humans. Vaccination is a necessity and remains the cornerstone of prevention. The vaccine can be administered before (to protect those vulnerable in high risk areas) or can be given immediately after contact with the infected animal.
Education and awareness of rabies control is a crucial element, especially with children, and assistance is needed to communicate the dangers of rabies. But most importantly, it is preventable.
Details: Candice Scorer 011 444 7730; info@sandtonspca.org.za or #togetheragainstrabies; Prudence Mahapa 011 847 5039; prudence.mahapa@sanofi.com
