Vaccination programme for pets, strays launched in Paonta Sahib

The 19th World Rabies Day was recently marked at the Sub-Divisional Veterinary Hospital (SDVH), Paonta Sahib, with the launch of an ambitious initiative aimed at protecting both humans and animals from rabies.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Paonta Sahib Rotary Club, introduced the Rotary Against Rabies Exposure (RARE) programme. The campaign was inaugurated by Paonta Sahib SDM Gunjeet Singh Cheema in the presence of Rotary Club president Anshul Goyal and Paonta Sahib Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Amit Mahajan.

The SDM said: “Rabies remains a serious public health concern, but it is also completely preventable. This programme highlights the importance of community participation in protecting both people and animals. By coming together, we can make Paonta Sahib a model for humane and effective rabies control.” Under the RARE programme, free anti-rabies vaccinations would be administered to stray and pet dogs and cats every Tuesday and Friday.

The campaign not only focuses on rabies prevention but also aims to reduce human-animal conflicts and promote coexistence within communities. This year’s World Rabies Day was observed under the World Health Organisation’s theme, “Act now: you, me, communities”, which emphasises collective responsibility in combating the disease.

The initiative also aligns with the Supreme Court of India’s recent guidelines issued on August 22, 2025.

These guidelines mandate vaccination, deworming, sterilisation, and the return of stray dogs to their original areas, along with the establishment of feeding points to balance animal welfare with public health concerns.

Dist-level event held in Mehla

A district-level programme to mark World Rabies Day was organised on Saturday in Mehla gram panchayat in Chamba. Highlighting the importance of the day, Chamba Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Bipen Thakur said the day has been observed annually since 2007 to raise awareness about the prevention of rabies and to showcase progress in combating this deadly disease.

Explaining the disease, Dr Thakur said rabies was a viral infection found in the saliva glands of infected animals. The virus enters the human body through animal bites, and therefore, immediate medical attention is crucial. “Instead of relying on quacks or traditional remedies, people should promptly consult a doctor and take tetanus and anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) shots to prevent infection,” he said. Warning against negligence, he said the virus attacks the nervous system, leading to fever, headache, weakness, muscle spasms, aggression, paralysis and eventually death. Veterinary officer Dr Vivek Gupta emphasised the importance of timely registration and vaccination of pets. He advised that in case of an animal bite, the wound must be thoroughly washed with soap and water, followed by immediate medical treatment and ARV administration to save lives.

The day is observed every year on September 28 to raise global awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this deadly disease. The day also commemorates the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur.