Local clinic celebrates World Rabies Day with mass vaccination drive

Muldersdrift Animal Clinic celebrated World Rabies Day with an impactful community vaccination drive, showing dedication to both pets and their owners.

Driven by a passion for animal health and community support, the clinic provided inexpensive rabies vaccines, ensuring that local pets are safe from this fatal disease.

Given the tough economic times, the clinic’s effort offered a lifeline to many pet owners who love their animals but struggle to afford routine care.

“We truly value the community, its people, and their fur babies, and are fully aware that economic times are very challenging, so offering an inexpensive rabies vaccine drive is a great way to help out the community members and do our part in keeping all its animals safe.

“The community’s response to our Rabies Drive Day was great; we vaccinated a very high number of both cats and dogs on the day and can rest soundly knowing they are now protected against the deadly rabies disease,” says Leanne Gilberson who is a practice manager at the clinic.

By making the vaccines accessible to everyone, the clinic contributed not only to individual pet health but also to broader public health, as rabies is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans.

“Muldersdrift sits in a high rabies zone community – therefore by having our rabies drive day, we can be sure that every pet vaccinated on that day is not at risk. The more pets vaccinated, the slower the spread,” Leanne says.

Education was a key focus during the drive, with the clinic aiming to dispel misconceptions about rabies.

“Common misconceptions about the rabies disease are merely that people don’t know the symptoms and what to look out for. We aimed to make people more informed and knowledgeable on rabies so the symptoms can correctly be recognised, as well as raising the awareness among community members that having your dog vaccinated against rabies is the only preventative option,” she adds.

Beyond vaccinations, the clinic also provided discounted multi-disease vaccines for cats and dogs, stressing the importance of year-round pet care, including parasite control as we head into summer. The event highlighted not only rabies prevention but also the benefits of a holistic approach to pet health.

The clinic remains dedicated to supporting the community, with plans for future initiatives such as a sterilisation month to further promote pet health.

“Don’t wait; vaccinate!” the clinic urged, highlighting the importance of vaccinations in keeping both pets and people safe from this deadly disease.