PetVet proudly hosted its second consecutive Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Program on 28th & 29th September 2024, in honor of World Rabies Day. Our mission was clear: to mass immunize pets, strays, and community animals, contributing to the global “Zero By 30” initiative. We are thrilled to report a resounding success this year!

This CSR campaign not only provided vital vaccinations but also aimed to raise awareness about the rabies virus and its elimination. With alarming statistics showing that someone falls victim to rabies every 9 minutes, and over 59,000 deaths occurring annually—nearly 40% of which are children under 15—our efforts are more crucial than ever. Rabies, once symptoms appear, is 99% fatal. Through this initiative, we shared essential information to combat this preventable disease.

In September, PetVet joined the international “Breaking Rabies Boundaries” movement led by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organization (WHO). Our educational outreach on social media focused on rabies transmission, symptoms, and, importantly, its vaccine-preventable nature.

Thanks to previous elimination programs conducted by the government and numerous non-profit organizations, human rabies cases in Sri Lanka have declined by an impressive 85% between 1990 and 2014. PetVet proudly contributed to this effort with our free vaccination program, targeting fosters, rescuers, and low-income households.

The response was overwhelming! Applications poured in, and our dedicated team worked tirelessly over the weekend to immunize countless animals brought to the clinic. The success of this program is a testament to our commitment to community health and animal welfare.

Together, we’re making strides towards a rabies-free future!