Yongin City to Provide Rabies Vaccinations from October...Animal Registration Status Must Be Confirmed

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun] Yongin Special City will conduct rabies vaccinations for approximately 6,410 registered pets and other animals from October 1 to 31.

The vaccination targets pets aged 3 months and older that are being raised.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to animals or humans through bites or scratches from animals carrying the rabies virus.

When the disease manifests in humans, it is called hydrophobia; when it affects animals, it is called rabies.

If a human is infected, it can cause symptoms of the central nervous system including neurological symptoms and encephalitis, which can be fatal. In dogs, symptoms such as anxiety, excitement, abnormal behavior, and increased aggression appear, and if clinical symptoms including drooling, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, and abnormal vocalizations persist for 3 to 7 days, most dogs die within 10 days.

As the animal registration system has been implemented, vaccinations will be administered after confirming the animal registration status; therefore, pet owners who have not registered their pets must do so first.

Vaccinations will be provided through in-clinic vaccinations and mobile vaccination services where government veterinarians visit areas where clinic visits are difficult.

For in-clinic vaccinations, pet owners can bring their dogs to one of the 81 animal hospitals designated by the city for vaccination.

A vaccination fee of 10,000 won will be charged to cover vaccination and consultation costs.

In certain areas with concerns about wildlife contact and rural areas where visits to animal hospitals are difficult, four government veterinarians from the city will make house calls.

Pet owners can bring their dogs to the designated vaccination locations on designated dates and receive vaccinations free of charge.

The city plans to ensure that pets kept in densely populated areas or mountainous regions where contact with wildlife is possible receive vaccinations during this period to prevent damage from rabies.

Information about available animal hospitals and mobile vaccination locations can be found on the city website in the notices and announcements section.

A city official stated, "We hope many pet owners will apply for rabies vaccinations for pets that have not yet been vaccinated," and added, "We will continue to support the development of a mature pet culture, including responsible pet ownership etiquette that considers everyone."

For more details, contact the Yongin City Livestock and Fisheries Division or the relevant departments of each district office (Cheoin-gu Industry Division 031-324-5347, Giheung-gu Industry and Environment Division 031-324-6342, Suji-gu Industry and Environment Division 031-324-8344).