Gwangju City to Conduct Rabies Vaccination for Companion Dogs Starting May 3

Vaccinations Available for 5,000 Won at Designated Animal Hospitals Until the 16th

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 26th that the rabies vaccination for the first half of the year will be conducted from the 3rd to the 16th of next month at 91 designated animal hospitals.

The vaccination targets registered companion dogs under the animal registration system raised in Gwangju City, and citizens who wish to get vaccinated can visit a designated animal hospital near their home with their companion dog.

The usual cost is around 20,000 KRW, but during this period, only a 5,000 KRW vaccination procedure fee is required.

The city conducts rabies vaccinations twice a year, in spring and autumn, and supplied 4,100 doses of rabies vaccine to designated animal hospitals for this vaccination. The list of designated animal hospitals can be checked on the city’s website notice board and through the 120 call center.

Rabies is a viral infectious disease that spreads to all warm-blooded animals including humans and dogs, and it is a zoonotic disease that can infect humans when bitten by an infected dog or cat.

In Korea, rabies continues to occur in wild animals near the demilitarized zone in Gyeonggi and Gangwon regions, making thorough preventive measures necessary. Companion dogs must be vaccinated once a year to prevent rabies.

Additionally, dogs over two months old kept as companions are subject to mandatory registration under the Animal Protection Act.

If animal registration is not completed, a fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW may be imposed. Therefore, Gwangju City plans to promote the animal registration system so that unregistered companion dogs can be registered and vaccinated during the vaccination period.

Kim Hyun-jung, head of the Life Agriculture Division of the city, said, “We hope citizens actively participate in rabies vaccination and the animal registration system for the health of their precious companion animals and public safety.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.