DURBAN: Veterinarians in the Amanzimtoti area are providing free rabies vaccination shots for dogs and cats, throughout the month of June, following the detection of a number of rabies cases in the province.
The Seadoone Veterinary Clinic and Doonside Veterinary Hospital in eManzimtoti, south of Durban, are at the centre of the vaccination drive.
There have been a number of fatal cases of rabies in the province. In February, The Mercury’s sister paper the Daily News reported that a 10-year-old boy in Umbumbulu had died of rabies. It said, in the past five months, at least five children had died across the province.
In February, the Independent on Saturday reported that more than 30 cases of animal rabies had been confirmed since the beginning of the year − and 21 of these cases were in KZN.
In a public notice, posted on the clinic’s Facebook page, it said the initiative was an attempt to try and help curb the spread of the deadly rabies virus.
“We, at Seadoone Veterinary Clinic and Doonside Veterinary Hospital, have undertaken – with the help of the State Vet – to provide a free rabies only vaccination clinic for the month of June,” it said.
The clinic said there was a possibility that the vaccination period would be extended. It said, if a full vaccination is required, then the cost of a normal clinic visit and costs would apply.
This includes any further medical advice or attention for the animals brought in.
Members of the public can take their dogs and cats to the Seadoone Veterinary Clinic, situated at 76 School Road, Amanzimtoti, 4126, or contact them on 031 903 3664.
These are the available dates and times that this free service will be offered at Seadoone Veterinary Clinic:
June 7, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Monday
June 12, 2021, 9am to 12pm on Saturday
June 14, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Monday
June 21, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Monday
June 28, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Monday
The Doonside Veterinary Hospital is situated at 1 Leslie Way, Doonside, 4126, and their contact number is 031 903 2427.
These are the available dates and times this free service will be offered at Doonside Veterinary Hospital:
June 2, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday
June 9, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday
June 19, 2021, 9am to 12pm on Saturday
June 23, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday
June 30, 2021, 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday
The clinic and the hospital have requested that pet owners ensure that dogs are on leashes and cats are in baskets.
The wearing of masks, social distancing, and all Covid-19 protocols will apply.
THE MERCURY