Sandton SPCA calls on community to take a stand against a silent killer
In commemoration of World Rabies Day, the Sandton SPCA urges South Africans to unite against rabies, a 100% preventable disease that still claims thousands of lives each year.
As the world marks World Rabies Day on September 28, the Sandton SPCA is using the occasion to shine a spotlight on the ongoing threat of rabies, and to rally the community behind prevention efforts that could save both animal and human lives.
Despite being completely preventable through vaccination, rabies remains a silent killer, particularly in areas where public awareness and access to veterinary services are limited.
Read more: Sandton SPCA encourages vaccination ahead of World Rabies Day
Sandton SPCA fundraising and marketing manager Yolande van Rooyen said: “Rabies kills, but it doesn’t have to. We’re calling on every pet owner, every community member, to join the global fight to eliminate this disease once and for all.
“Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It affects all warm-blooded mammals, including humans, and is most commonly spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.”
Van Rooyen said domestic dogs and cats are the primary carriers of rabies in urban settings, underscoring the critical importance of routine vaccinations. “Every vaccinated pet is a barrier between rabies and the people it could harm. This isn’t just about protecting animals; it’s about protecting families, children, and communities.”
In honour of World Rabies Day, the Sandton SPCA is offering discounted rabies vaccinations at just R200 per pet, from September 29 to October 6. “This is more than a discount; it’s a call to action. We’re making it easy and affordable to do the right thing.”
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Rabies vaccination is not only recommended; it is legally mandated under the Animal Diseases Act. Failure to comply can result in fines, quarantine, or even euthanasia of an animal deemed a public health threat.
Van Rooyen stressed that misconceptions remain a hurdle in rabies prevention. “People assume only aggressive animals carry rabies, but infected animals may appear calm or overly friendly. That’s why relying on behaviour alone can be dangerous.”
Signs of rabies in animals:
• Sudden aggression or unusual behaviour,
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth,
• Difficulty swallowing or choking sounds,
• Staggering, paralysis, or seizures, and
• Death within days.
If bitten or scratched by an animal you fear has rabies, immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention. Any animal suspected of having rabies should be reported to local authorities for observation or testing.
The Sandton SPCA is actively addressing this through community outreach, sterilisation programmes, and promoting responsible pet ownership.
“Get your pets vaccinated, report suspicious animals, and spread awareness,” Van Rooyen concluded. “Prevention starts with you.”
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