Leading up to World Rabies Day on September 28, Humane Society International/India organised anti-rabies awareness and vaccination drives for a week in 25 residential societies of Dehradun. The drives aimed to empower local residents with the knowledge to protect themselves from bites, preventing rabies and saving lives.
Anti-rabies vaccination drives were held on September 27-28 under the global 2019 theme, “Rabies: Vaccinate to eliminate”. The drives were free for street dogs and pet dogs in resident welfare societies signed up under HSI/India’s Abhay Sankalp programme and more than 200 street dogs were vaccinated.
In addition, HSI/India also conducted educational sessions and distributed leaflets related to rabies prevention and information about responsible pet ownership.
Suchitra Rawat, programme coordinator, Companion Animals and Engagement for HSI/India, said, "Rabies awareness in communities is very important for peaceful and fearless coexistence between
humans and dogs in communities.
An ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure in the case of rabies.
Hence, our motto during the World Rabies Week was to improve knowledge on rabies, vaccination and responsible pet ownership, wound bite management, and prevention and control."
Dr Meherban Singh Gusain, a resident of Ashirwad enclave, said, " Rabies awareness is not only important for our society but for everyone to create a safe environment for both humans and dogs.”
