91 dogs, including strays and privately-owned dogs, vaccinated against distemper
Our vaccination campaign against distemper continues in Cernavoda, where we have been fighting a serious epidemic over recent weeks.
So far, we have successfully vaccinated 91 dogs to protect them from distemper. We are facing the worst epidemic for the last seven years in Cernavoda in Romania, which is causing the death of a great many animals on the streets, both strays and privately-owned dogs. We have set ourselves an objective of vaccinating at least 100 animals, and we are getting ever closer to achieving our goal.
Read also: Distemper epidemic in Cernavoda
91 dogs, including strays and privately-owned dogs, vaccinated against distemper
We have been conducting a vaccination and information campaign throughout Cernavoda for four weeks now. We started with the strays we monitor on the streets, protecting the individuals we know best and who allow us to close enough to inoculate them.
We have also contacted all the families we assist with the Connecting Lives program, offering them free vaccines for all their animals. These are people who have serious financial problems and do not have the resources to provide their dogs and cats with basic care. We therefore step in to help with situations like this one.
The Braga family and their dogs Rex and Lenita
One such example is the Braga family. The couple lives in a modest house with a garden along with two dogs and a small colony of cats. Over the years, we have been involved in spaying and neutering all their animals and taking them donations of food on a regular basis.
As soon as the epidemic broke out, we immediately contacted them and offered to vaccinate their two dogs, Rex and Lenita who spend a lot of time outside, free of charge. We know they are therefore now protected and safe from harm.
Our campaign to raise awareness in the community is also ongoing
In addition to vaccinating the animals, we are also carrying out a campaign throughout the city to raise awareness, distributing leaflets on distemper with useful tips for recognizing early symptoms and acting promptly. We are distributing this information door to door, as well as at supermarket entrances and exits and in other public places.
Raising awareness and persuading people to get their animals vaccinated is paramount if we are to counter the spread of the epidemic. In recent weeks, we have witnessed some very serious cases that could easily have been prevented by the administering of a simple shot, so we plan to continue our efforts in this area.