Taking care of local animals, the State Vet assists residents in providing necessary help where possible.
Situated in York Street within Newcastle’s CBD, the local state vet operates under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, boasting a team of animal health technicians ready to aid rural farmers in vaccinating their livestock and assisting needy residents in vaccinating their pets. Further medical treatment is provided as needed.
For more information about the state vet, click here.
Amajuba Veterinary Services, commonly referred to as the state vet, remains dedicated to promoting animal health. The veterinary services are presently gearing up to launch their annual rabies campaign in the coming weeks.
Animal health technician Janine Ferrier stressed the importance for residents to ensure their pets receive their rabies vaccinations, a service offered free of charge.
“Rabies can prove fatal to both animals and people. To safeguard your animals from this disease, ensuring they receive their vaccines is paramount,” stated Ferrier, highlighting a reported rabies case in Newcastle in 2022 that could have been prevented with timely vaccination.
Fortunately, this isolated case did not escalate into an outbreak like the one witnessed in the eThekwini area. As of August 2023, the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported approximately 150,000 dogs in the area, with three cases of rabies reported monthly.
Rabies, a vaccine preventable, zoonotic viral disease affecting the central nervous system, becomes almost 100% fatal once clinical symptoms manifest, as outlined by the World Health Organisation. Domestic dogs are responsible for up to 99% of rabies virus transmission to humans. The virus spreads through saliva, typically via bites, scratches, or direct mucosal contact (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds), with children aged 5 to 14 being frequent victims.
With only one case of rabies reported in the past year, the time has come to ensure the virus remains eradicated from Newcastle.
Therefore, Newcastle residents can have their pets vaccinated against rabies at the specified locations:
- 16 October – Corner of Hospital and Sutherland Street, Arbor Park Shopping Centre from 9 am until 3 pm.
- 16 October – Fairleigh Hall from 9 am until 11 am, and the Siyahlala area from 11 am until 3 pm.
- 17 October – Lennoxton Library and Fernwood shop from 9 am until 3 pm.
- 18 October – Ferrum/Newcastle Pool from 9 am until 3 pm.
- 19 October – Barry Hertzog Park Shopping Centre, Amajuba Park Shopping Centre, and Ncandu Park Shopping Centre from 9 am until 3 pm.
- 20 October – Hutten Heights Shopping Centre from 9 am until 3 pm.
- 21 October – Farmer’s Hall Parking from 8 am until 2 pm.
With a strong focus on securing the Newcastle community and its animals from rabies, we invite you to share your thoughts on the matter in the comment section below.
