MIRI : More than 2,300 dogs have been vaccinated against rabies in Miri this year, with strong public response to the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department’s free mobile vaccination programme.
Sarawak Transport Minister and Senadin assemblyman Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said 2,322 dogs had been vaccinated as of Saturday (Aug.22), while a further 90 dogs were vaccinated during this morning’s session.
He said the programme was being taken to different locations across Miri to make vaccination more accessible to dog owners, particularly in view of the constituency’s large geographical area and population.
“I would like to thank our Veterinary Services Department for continuing with the mobile vaccination of dogs here in Miri,” Lee said.
Last year, a total of 4,436 dogs were vaccinated in Miri, while this year’s programme has been expanded to include microchipping as part of the service.
Lee said five more locations had been identified for upcoming mobile vaccination sessions in September, and urged dog owners to bring their pets for vaccination.
The planned sessions include 5-6 September, 12-13 September, 19-20 September and 26-27 September, with the remaining location and date to be confirmed.
“Vaccination is free, so please make full use of this opportunity,” he said.
Lee said continued public participation was crucial to maintaining Miri’s rabies-free status, noting that no rabies cases had been recorded in the area for several years.
“We want Miri to remain rabies-free. There have been no cases for the past few years, so the cooperation of the community is very important,” he said.
He said Miri’s size made the mobile vaccination programme particularly important, allowing veterinary services to reach dog owners across the constituency.
Lee also called on dog owners to take responsibility for ensuring their pets were vaccinated, stressing that prevention remained essential in protecting both animals and the wider community.
“This is an initiative taken by our government, but the cooperation of the people is equally important,” he said.
The continued vaccination drive forms part of Sarawak’s efforts to prevent the re-emergence of rabies and maintain the state’s progress towards keeping communities free from the disease.
