As World Rabies Day approaches on Saturday, 28th September 2024, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA is calling on all pet owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated, especially as rabies has now become endemic in the Cape Fur Seal population.
Vaccinate to Protect: Your Pet, Your Family, Your Community
“Rabies is a fatal viral disease, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent it from spreading to humans and animals,” said Dr. Rivona Ramnanan, SPCA Head Veterinarian. “All pet owners have a duty to ensure their pets are fully vaccinated, as required by the Animal Diseases Act.” Rabies vaccinations should be administered to pets at three months of age, followed by a booster a month later. An annual booster is required in high risk areas.
Unvaccinated animals are at high risk of contracting and spreading rabies, which is mostly transmitted through bites although exposure may also occur through contamination of broken skin or mucous membranes with saliva from an infected animal.
Symptoms of rabies in animals may include:
- Sudden behavioural changes (aggressive animals becoming calm or tame animals becoming aggressive)
- Paralysis or partial paralysis
- Abnormal vocalisation (dogs barking strangely)
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Foaming at the mouth
- Attacking inanimate objects like rocks or trees
World Rabies Day: A Global Call to Educate and Vaccinate
World Rabies Day is an international a day dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies and the importance of pet vaccination and education. “We urge the public to do their part by ensuring their pets’ vaccinations are up to date and spreading awareness about rabies prevention” Dr. Ramnanan emphasised.
Free Pet Vaccinations at Sunrise Beach on World Rabies Day
In support of World Rabies Day, and with the full support of the City of Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s mobile clinic will be stationed at Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg on Saturday, 28th September 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, offering free rabies vaccinations for the pets of owners who visit the SPCA mobile clinic with their pets. These vaccinations are vital in preventing the spread of rabies in communities. For those who cannot attend, vaccinations are also available daily at our onsite hospital in Grassy Park and at our mobile clinics, that travel to communities throughout Cape Town. For a full schedule, visit Mobile Clinic Schedule.
Rabies in Cape Fur Seals: A Growing Risk
With rabies now endemic in the Cape Fur Seal population, beachgoers should exercise caution. The public is strongly advised to avoid close contact with seals and are also reminded that it is illegal to approach or harass any coastal wildlife, including seals. If you witness a seal displaying unusual or aggressive behaviour, report it to the relevant authorities:
- Cape of Good Hope SPCA: 021 700 4158/9
- City of Cape Town: 021 480 7700
- CapeNature: 083 236 2924 (West Coast and Overberg)
- Table Mountain National Park: 021 783 0234
Rabies Prevention Starts with Vaccination
“Rabies prevention starts with pet owners,” says Dr. Ramnanan. “By vaccinating your pets, you are protecting yourself, your family, and your community from a potentially deadly virus. We all have a duty to educate and vaccinate to prevent the spread of rabies.”
