One of the committee volunteers at Hoedspruit AnimaL Outreach (HALO), Brass Brassett, said rabies is 99% fatal but 100% preventable.
HALO is committed to caring for the physical and emotional well-being of domestic animals in the rural communities surrounding Hoedspruit.
World Rabies Day is on 28 September, a global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. “Even though rabies kills someone every nine minutes, it is 100% preventable.
Vaccinating 70% of dogs in at-risk areas can eliminate rabies in dogs,” she said. Brasset said Limpopo and Mpumalanga where HALO conducts outreaches, are considered high risk rabies areas.
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Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals.
Early symptoms can include fever and tingling at the site of exposure.
She said though it is a legal requirement for people to vaccinate their dogs against rabies, in rural communities where there is no access to veterinary state services as in the communities where HALO conducts outreaches, dogs are rarely vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.
As part of Rabies Day Awareness, HALO will have an event in partnership with Wild Dogz Burger Bar on 28 September from 17:00 until 20:00.
Tickets are available at R120 each, this buys you a seat for the evening, a welcome drink, snacks and two raffle tickets. Only 44 entry tickets are available for the evening.
All the proceeds of the tickets go directly to HALO.
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Brasset said the evening will include a presentation on HALO and rabies.
Raffle tickets will be available at R60 each, with which HALO can vaccinate one dog in the community.
“Covid-19 restrictions would be in place and social distancing will be adhered to at all times.
“If you are unable to attend the event, you can still stand a chance to win by buying raffle tickets and bid via phone on our auction prizes,” she said.
For more information on the event visit, Hoedspruit AnimaL Outreach Facebook page or send an email to Hoedspruit.halo@gmail.com to secure a seat.
HALO offers free veterinary care to dogs from Moraba Leboeng/California, The Willows, Sigagule, Lepelle and Tswenyane communities.
