| Vaccination and identification are carried out at any of the veterinary clinics in this town | The Department of Health recalls that during the months of July and August the annual mandatory rabies vaccination campaign is being carried out for animals of the canine, feline and ferret species. This initiative is organized annually by the Health Councils and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and the Environment in conjunction with the Illustrious Official College of Veterinarians of the Region of Murcia. This municipal department insists on the obligatory nature of the rabies vaccination in these animal species, as well as on the microchip identification of the dogs. Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and therefore man as well, so that in order to prevent cases of human rabies it is necessary to vaccinate the animal population that can act as carriers, and thus dispose of of an adequate level of immunization in the animal population living in the human environment. Rabies vaccination must be carried out in dogs and ferrets from 3.5 months of age, cats from 5 months of age, and revaccination must be carried out annually; and it is considered a compulsory treatment in dogs, cats and ferrets, so the non-application of it may be subject to a fine to the owner of the animal. Likewise, it is recalled the obligation of animal identification of dogs within a maximum period of 3 months of age or one month after their acquisition, through the implantation of a microchip. Vaccination and identification are carried out at any of the veterinary clinics in this town, both during this annual campaign period and during the rest of the year. Since June 2013 rabies has been officially declared in Spain, as well as in other countries of the European Union.
The last officially recognized case took place that year in Toledo. Animals vaccinated for the first time are given an official health card; and if the vaccination is the second or later, the owner of the animal must be provided with the corresponding health card. Animals that meet the minimum vaccination age after the end of the campaign may go to any of the veterinary clinics to proceed with it without any penalty. From the end of the campaign, all dogs whose owners do not have the vaccination health card or the microchip may be picked up as vagrants.
Of course, they will not be able to circulate on public roads if they are not covered by the duly completed health card.
