PET owners showed up in their numbers in the last two weeks as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted its free rabies vaccination drive.

Rabies is a very serious, mostly fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be passed from infected animals to humans.

In animals and humans, the disease affects the brain, and once clinical signs become visible, there is no curative treatment, and it is 100% fatal.

Residents from Greenwood Park, Park Hill, Durban North, La Lucia and uMhlanga, to name a few, were among those who responded to the two-week-long campaign.

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Animal health technician from the department, Titus Letsoalo, said he was pleased by the turnout from residents to vaccinate their pets.

“This year, we had the biggest number of residents vaccinating their pets against rabies. It is compulsory for all domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies, and failure to do so is illegal and a public health risk. It was extremely positive to see the north Durban residents come out to support the drive. For us, it is also important to drive awareness campaigns to inform the public about rabies. Most rabies infections occur through animal bites, but scratches or licks on broken skin are also possible routes of infection,” he said.

Rosehill resident Chris Griffiths, who vaccinated three of his pets at the Lothian Road site, thanked the department for their efficient service.

“It is extremely important to have your pets vaccinated as rabies is fatal. The fact that the department has come to a spot so close to my home has been convenient. I know the department will now move on to other areas in Durban, and I urge pet owners to get their pets vaccinated. It’s quick, painless and free,” he said.

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