On 28 September, World Rabies Day raises awareness about rabies prevention and the importance of vaccinating pets. Although entirely preventable, rabies remains one of the world’ s deadliest viral diseases once symptoms develop. At Animal Anti-Cruelty League( AACL) Cape Town, we promote responsible pet ownership and provide accessible rabies vaccinations to help protect both animals and people.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the brain and nervous system of all mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, and humans. It is usually spread through the bite of an infected animal when virus-containing saliva enters the body. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making regular vaccination the only effective defence.
Early signs of rabies include fever, lethargy, anxiety and unusual behaviour. As the disease progresses, infected animals may become aggressive or unusually tame, drool excessively, struggle to swallow, become disorientated, develop paralysis and eventually die. With no cure once symptoms develop, regular vaccination is the best way to protect pets.
Why vaccination matters
The recent rabies outbreak among Cape fur seals along the Western Cape coastline highlighted that rabies is not confined to domestic animals. It also reinforced the need for responsible pet ownership and keeping dogs and cats up to date with their rabies vaccinations.
In SA, puppies and kittens receive their first rabies vaccination at 12 weeks, followed by booster vaccinations as advised by a veterinarian. The vaccine generally provides protection for three years, although some pets may require different vaccination schedules. Maintaining your pet’ s vaccination schedule is one of the simplest ways to protect your pet, your family and your community.
Vaccines for all
At AACL Cape Town, we believe every pet deserves access to preventative veterinary care. Rabies vaccinations are available at both our Epping and Bellville branches as well as through our Mobile Clinic, which provides essential veterinary services to underserved communities throughout Cape Town. By making vaccinations accessible, we help reduce the risk of rabies while improving the overall health and welfare of companion animals.
This World Rabies Day, we encourage all pet owners to check their pets’ vaccination records and ensure they are protected. A simple vaccination can save lives, prevent suffering and help eliminate rabies for future generations.
Visit your nearest AACL Cape Town branch or our Mobile Clinic to have your pet vaccinated against rabies. Together, we can protect animals, protect people and build healthier, safer, rabies-free communities.
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