World Rabies Day is Sept. 28th: No Babies. No Rabies.
Rabies may be one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases, but it is also one of the most preventable. And it’s not just a problem somewhere else.
Just this past week in Georgia, a cat in Norcross tested positive for rabies after attacking two people. Gwinnett County officials are reminding residents to avoid animals behaving unusually and to make sure pets are current on their rabies vaccinations.
September 28th is World Rabies Day, a day to remember that protecting our pets also protects our communities.
Vaccination is our first line of defense. But there’s another important piece of the prevention puzzle: spay/neuter.
When dogs and cats enter shelters, spay/neuter and vaccination are often provided together before they go home. One visit can mean a pet leaves fixed and protected against rabies - while preventing future litters that could contribute to populations of unvaccinated, free-roaming animals.
That’s the idea behind United Spay Alliance’s “No Babies. No Rabies.” As a partner of United Spay Alliance, Georgia Pet Coalition is proud to help spread this important public-health message.
As a reminder on World Rabies Day, please make sure you:
Keep rabies vaccinations current. Dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated - even pets that live exclusively indoors.
Spay or neuter your pets. Prevent unplanned litters and help reduce the number of animals who may end up unvaccinated and free-roaming.
Supervise your pets. Keep cats indoors and dogs leashed or supervised outside.
Give wildlife plenty of space. Never approach or handle wild, stray, sick, or strangely behaving animals.
Take exposures seriously. If your pet is bitten, scratched, or has contact with wildlife, contact your veterinarian and local animal control. If a person is bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
And remember: rabies prevention is a community effort. Every vaccinated pet and every spay/neuter surgery helps protect animals, people, and our communities.
No Babies. No Rabies.
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