VN November 2021

Vetnuus | November 2021 20 An initiative of the SOUTH AFRICAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION Non-profit Company: 1998/016654/08 Non-profit Organisation: 000-234 NPO Public Benefit Organisation: 130001321 In support of State veterinary efforts to vaccinate against rabies after an outbreak in the Western Cape, a Strand private veterinary clinic held two mass vaccination outreach events for underprivileged pet owners in four days. In August, two rabies cases in dogs were reported in Khayelitsha near Cape Town, and a month later, a private clinic in Gordon’s Bay recorded the third case. These were the first rabies cases in the Western Cape in 20 years. Dr Esmaré van der Walt, a senior veterinarian at EberVet Pet Clinic in Strand, said, “The incidence of positive rabies cases in such close proximity is a cause of great concern. Rabies is a zoonosis and kills humans and animals; vaccination is the best way to prevent it. “We believe private clinics should get involved to increase those prevention methods already being implemented by the State vet.” For EberVet’s vaccination outreach, pets from underprivileged homes were sourced by animal welfare organisation, The Outreach Program. The vaccination clinics were erected in open fields in Firgrove on a Saturday morning and in Casablanca in the greater Strand area on Tuesday. The State vet donated vaccines, and pet owners paid a flat fee of R10 per vaccination to cover syringe and needle costs. Volunteers also dewormed all dogs, applied parasite control and trimmed nails. A total of 259 animals, including 20 cats, were vaccinated. EberVet Pet Clinic will host several more rabies vaccination clinics supporting the State vet in other low-income areas. v CVC News I CVC Nuus State rabies efforts enforced by a private clinic By Toni Younghusband