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For pet owners, caring for an animal can and does run into the thousands, making it virtually impossible for people below the breadline to tend to their four-legged family members properly. Fortunately, the State Vet, located in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal’s CBD, falls under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and is available to the said community.
Powered by Dr Green-Thompson and his team of animal health technicians, Janine Ferrier, one of the animal health technicians, explains that the services offered mainly focus on helping uplift rural farmers by vaccinating their livestock and vaccinating needy residents’ pets—with further medical treatment provided where required.
Having worked for the State Vet since 2002, Janine adds, “We also focus on disease prevention such as Foot and Mouth Disease and rabies. But our offices are open to those who really need us.” Moreover, Janine points out; the state vet also offers assistance and guidance to farmers and animal lovers. Therefore, with ten animal health technicians, numerous vets doing their community service and the State Vet working around the Amajuba District, pet owners and rural farmers who need assistance can contact them on 034 312 1505 or visit them at their offices at 38 York Street.
Additionally, in their quest to control animal disease within the Newcastle community, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s veterinary services will be conducting a rabies vaccination campaign as of Monday, 16 August 2021.
Janine explains that while the local community has not had a positive rabies case since 2013, pet owners must vaccinate their pets against this dreaded disease. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of all mammals, including people. The virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted through a bite or saliva contamination of the mucous membranes.
It is important to note that the virus travels along the nerves until it reaches the central nervous system, the spinal cord, the brain, and from there, it reaches the salivary glands and is then shed into the saliva.
If a rabid animal bites a person, the wound needs to be washed immediately, and the person rushed to the closest clinic or hospital. If not treated, the person will be infected with rabies and eventually die.
Due to the negative impact rabies has on the health of animals and people, Janine urges the community to visit any of the sites during the rabies campaign.
Residents can take their pets for their rabies vaccinations at any of the following sites:
Monday, 16 August 2021
- Town Central – The Park at the corner of Hospital and Sutherland Streets
- Arbor Park – Arbor Park Shopping Centre (Near Puma Garage)
- Siyahlalala Settlement – Imphembe Construction Office
- Fairleigh – Fairleigh Hall
Tuesday, 17 August 2021
- Lennoxton – Lennoxton Library
- Paradise – Iscor Flats Shopping Centre (Asham Centre)
- Fernwood – Fernwood Shop
Wednesday, 18 August 2021
- Pioneer Park – Ferrum/Newcastle Pool
- Pioneer Park & Sunnyridge – The play park at the corner of Erica and Drakensberg
- Signal Hill – Pine Junction parking area
Thursday, 19 August 2021
- Barry Hertzog Park – Barry Hertzog Park Shopping Centre
- Amajuba Park – Amajuba Park Shopping Centre
- Ncandu Park – Ncandu Park Shopping Centre
Friday, 20 August 2021
- Hutten Heights – Hutten Heights Shopping Centre
- Amiel Park – Play Park on Eatn Road
- Aviary Hill and Schuinshoogte – Mini Market in Nagtegaal Street.
The times for vaccinations from 9am until 3pm.
On Saturday, 21 August 2021, the rabies campaign will take place at the Farmers Hall Parking lot under the trees from 8am until 2pm.
Be sure to have your animals vaccinated this coming weekend and learn more about the services offered by the State Vet.
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Comments 3
And if you do not have transportto get to the rabies vacanation pionts wat do you do. Then do the statevet do sterilazations
At madadeni section 7 when u gonna do the rabies vaccine rounds please 0838672520
We urge vaccinators to visit all street during vaccination periods. It’s difficult to take dogs to a common site .
We also need help with dogs sterilisation because I cannot afford private VETs
We appeal for state vets to help