Gwangju City "Please Vaccinate Your Pets Against Rabies"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Gwangju Metropolitan City will conduct rabies vaccinations for companion dogs at 94 designated animal hospitals in each autonomous district from the 2nd to the 16th of next month.

The vaccination targets are companion dogs registered in the animal registration system that are over 3 months old within the jurisdiction.

Citizens wishing to get vaccinated can visit a designated animal hospital near their residence and pay only 5,000 KRW for the vaccination during this period, whereas the usual vaccination fee is around 20,000 KRW.

Gwangju City conducts rabies vaccinations twice a year, in spring and autumn. For this spring's rabies vaccination, 4,150 doses of rabies vaccine were supplied to 94 designated animal hospitals.

The list of designated animal hospitals can be checked on the Gwangju City website's notice board and through the 120 call center.

Rabies is a viral infectious disease transmissible to all warm-blooded animals including humans and dogs. It is a zoonotic disease that can infect humans if bitten or scratched by an infected dog or cat.

Although there have been no reported cases of rabies in Korea since 2014, it can occur through contact with wild animals such as raccoons, so thorough prevention is necessary. Companion dogs must receive a booster vaccination once a year to maintain immunity against the rabies virus.

Additionally, dogs over 2 months old kept as companions are subject to mandatory registration under animal protection laws. Failure to register may result in a fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW. During the vaccination period, unregistered companion dogs will be encouraged to register and get vaccinated through promotion of the animal registration system.

Kim Hyun-jung, Director of the Life Agriculture Division, said, “We hope citizens actively participate in rabies vaccinations 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.