By Memory Khutuliwa

Blantyre, May 7, Mana; Vet Surgeon at Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic, Owen Chausa says vaccination of dogs was the only way to prevent transmission of diseases to promote animal well-being and urged pet owners to follow recommended vaccination schedules to keep their pets free from diseases.

Chausa made the remarks on Tuesday as dog vaccination campaign by Mission Rabies Malawi continues in Blantyre.

He said that vaccination in pets supports public health, preventing transmission of diseases, promoting herd immunity, reducing animal suffering, thereby improving animal welfare, adding that the vaccination mitigates the spread of zoonotic diseases such as rabies.

“The vaccination is crucial as it protects pets from life-threatening diseases in dogs such as hepatitis, parvovirus, kennel cough, canine distemper, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. Cats suffer from life-threatening diseases such as feline rhinotracheitis,” he added.

The Vet Surgeon therefore urged pet owners to they should follow recommended vaccination schedules and to always keep their pets vaccination records, saying accurate records determine accurate times for boosters to understand core and non-core vaccines.

Mission Rabies Malawi, Country Director, Dr.Inga McDermott, described the vaccination programme as an important step towards protecting city residents and their pets from rabies, expressing optimism that the exercise will significantly stop spread of rabies in Malawi.

“We have a target, we want our post-vaccination surveys to show that we have reached at least 70% of dog population in Blantyre, and this is a crucial percent to keep the community safe”

Blantyre City 2025 vaccination campaign is meant to vaccinate over 20,000 dogs within 10 days.