"Waqaa" in Mecca launches campaign to vaccinate pets against rabies

The branch of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Waqaa) in the Makkah region launched a campaign to vaccinate pets against rabies, which will continue until Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the holy capital and the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, and Al-Qunfudhah, as part of its efforts to raise community awareness of zoonotic diseases and ways to prevent them.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about rabies, vaccinate pets against it, define its transmission methods and symptoms, and the preventive measures to be followed when exposed to animal bites or scratches, in addition to disseminating educational messages that contribute to reducing the risk of infection and enhancing public health and prevention concepts.

The center explained that the campaign includes disseminating awareness and guidance materials through media and digital platforms, and providing educational messages targeting various segments of society to increase knowledge of the disease, promote preventive behaviors, and emphasize the importance of reporting suspected cases and consulting health authorities when exposed to an injury that may transmit the infection.

The branch of the center in Makkah region stated that breeders and beneficiaries will be received at the vaccination sites from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the "Superpets" clinics in Al-Shawqiyyah and Al-Rashidiyah districts in the holy capital, the "Floria" clinic in Al-Nahdah district in Jeddah, the Veterinary Care Clinic in the central area of Taif, and the "Nab' Al-Wadi" clinic in Al-Mudhaylif in Al-Qunfudhah governorate.

The center called on pet owners to take advantage of the free vaccination service and bring their animals to the approved vaccination sites.

The campaign is part of the awareness programs implemented by "Waqaa" Center to enhance the prevention of animal diseases and support national efforts aimed at protecting human and animal health and raising the level of health awareness among community members.