China is making great progress in educating the public regarding rabies prevention. Moreover, the country becomes more aware of the responsibilities of pet owners and strives hard to create a harmonious relationship between humans and furry companions.
Xinhua reported on October 4 that various institutions and charitable organizations, activists and scholars previously came together in promoting the civil code of conduct among the growing population of pet owners in China.
The report added that China has established goals to complete a nationwide dog vaccination registration program and raising the percentage of vaccinated do population to at least 70 percent by 2020.
"With proper tools, China is hopeful about achieving the rabies-free goal within our lifetime," said Qin Xiaona, president of the Beijing-based Capital Animal Welfare Association and a senior advisor to the China Medical Foundation.
According to studies published by World Health Organization show that if 70 percent or above of a dog population is vaccinated, the virus can be contained or can be kept from spreading as an immunological barrier is formed.
"The most efficient way to wipe out rabies risks is to properly immunize China's canines on a large scale, which would require their guardians to assume their responsibilities and to not abandon or neglect any animal family members," said Sun Quanhui, a vet and science officer with World Animal Protection's Beijing Office.
"This means that as long as people assume their responsibilities, take their dogs to be immunized and make sure that the vaccine stays active, it will be far less possible for house pets or rural working dogs to be infected with the virus," Qin added. "Under proper management, rabies is 100 percent preventable."
