Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Oct 27: In a move to prevent cross-border transmission of rabies, the Goa government has made it mandatory for visitors bringing pets into the State to register them and share vaccination records through the anti-rabies hotline.

The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services issued a notification directing all pet owners who have brought animals into Goa within the past year to furnish vaccination cards or get their pets—especially dogs and cats—vaccinated immediately.

Goa was declared a “Rabies Controlled Area” in May 2021 after recording zero human rabies deaths. That same year, the State made it compulsory for visitors to vaccinate their pets before entry. However, officials said several visitors, particularly those with second homes in Goa, continue to bring unregistered pets without proper vaccination records.

“Animals, particularly dogs and cats, brought into Goa must be registered and vaccinated within the past one year or upon arrival. Owners must carry valid vaccination cards to prevent rabies virus entry into the State,” the department stated.

Officials noted that border areas with Maharashtra and Karnataka remain vulnerable, with isolated rabies cases still detected in talukas like Bicholim, Pernem, and Canacona.

Since 2017, Goa has maintained near-total control over human rabies, achieving “rabies-controlled” status after three consecutive years without fatalities. Though one case was reported in 2023, there were no deaths in 2024 and none so far this year.

The anti-rabies initiative began under former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who signed an MoU with Mission Rabies to implement a statewide vaccination and sterilisation campaign.