Charity calls on veterinary practices to help fight disease
An international animal welfare charity is calling for veterinary practices to support thousands of stray dogs under threat of being culled on World Rabies Day (28 September).
World Rabies Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this devastating disease.
This year, World Animal Protection are keen to hear from veterinary practices which are able to support the campaign and fundraise at their practice.
The money raised will be used to help vaccinate the 100,000 stray and roaming dogs in Sierra Leone, Africa, at risk of culling because of the fear of rabies.
“The situation in Sierra Leone is critical as the tension between the vast stray and roaming dog population and community increases," said Alyx Elliot, head of campaigns for World Animal Protection UK.
"Rabies is an entirely preventable disease and we are calling on supporters help raise the money needed to vaccinate the Sierra Leone dogs and prevent any more cruelty and suffering.”
Rabies has become rife in Sierra Leone amongst dogs and people, with over three human rabies cases for every 100,000 people.
In the capital Freetown, stray dogs are viewed as both a nuisance and threat to communities. With only four vets in the whole country to protect them from harm, the dogs are often starved, abused and brutally killed.
Sadly, governments see culling as the answer to the stray dogs population. But the disease is entirely preventable through vaccination.
Working with local and national authorities in Sierra Leone, World Animal Protection are looking at potential sites in Freetown in which to launch a rabies vaccination programme in 2017.
The charity has already had much success in this area, and recently celebrated a major milestone after delivering one million rabies vaccinations as part of its Better Lives for Dog's campaign.
It costs £2.00 to vaccinate dogs against rabies and the charity would like to hear from anybody who can lend their support. For more information and supporting materials please contact fundraising@worldanimalprotection.org.
Image (C) World Animal Protection
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
