The Nigerian Veterinary Medicine Association (NVMA) has called on pet owners to keep their pets within their premises and ensure they are fully vaccinated against rabies.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the President of the association stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, in commemoration of the World Rabies Day on Thursday.

The global observance day has  ‘All for 1- One Health for All’ as the theme for 2023.

The National president of the association said being a responsible pet will reduced the burden of rabies in the country.

She said, “To curb stray dogs in Nigeria and rabies burden, we advocate responsible pet ownership. If you own a dog, please vaccinate it and keep it within your premises. Don’t allow it to stray out of your premises, thereby endangering the lives of other citizens. All pet owners should please be responsible.”

Akinlade described the challenges posed by rabies in the country as enormous and devastating, adding that “anybody bitten by a rabid dog may not be productive.”

He revealed that there is no cure for rabies and the only way is to prevent it.

The association further advised the government to employ more veterinarians who would be involved in the vaccination of dogs across the nation.

“We want the government to provide vaccines and also employ the manpower required to fight rabies.

“Veterinarians in Nigeria are at the forefront of the campaign against rabies and we are doing this by collaborating and joining forces across sectors, engaging communities, and committing to sustain the dog vaccination together.

Adetuberu advised all sectors to pursue animal health, environmental health, and plant health “for us to sustain human health,” NVMA president said.

NAN reports that World Rabies Day is commemorated annually on September 28 to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress made toward defeating the disease.