More than 80 dogs were vaccinated against rabies during a recent campaign in Mabopane.

Organised in partnership with the Soshanguve Animal Shelter and State Veterinary services, the campaign aimed to bring essential animal health services closer to residents who might struggle to access or afford veterinary care.

However, demand exceeded the number of vaccines available, with the State Veterinary team arriving with only 80 doses.

Demand highlights need for community initiatives

Tebogo Maredi, founder of the shelter, said the response highlighted the need for more community-based vaccination initiatives.

“The campaign went well, and there was a good response from the community,” Maredi said.

Both puppies and adult dogs were vaccinated, although a final breakdown between the two groups was not recorded.

Rabies remains serious health risk

Maredi said rabies remained a serious public and animal health concern, particularly where dogs were not vaccinated or were allowed to roam.

“Vaccination protects the individual dog and also helps create a protective barrier for the wider community,” he said. “Rabies is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear, but it is preventable through vaccination.”

Residents were urged to watch for unusual behavioural changes, unexplained aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, unusual or continuous vocalisation, paralysis, weakness or unusual unresponsiveness in animals.

Maredi advised residents not to handle animals suspected of having rabies and to report suspected cases to a State Veterinarian, animal health technician or animal welfare organisation.

He said anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially infected animal, or who has had saliva from such an animal come into contact with a wound, should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek medical attention.

Residents whose dogs missed the campaign were encouraged to contact their nearest veterinary clinic, State Veterinary service, animal health technician or animal welfare organisation rather than waiting for another campaign.

Maredi said the shelter hoped similar campaigns could reach other informal settlements and surrounding communities where access to veterinary services remained limited.

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