Rabies: What Every Indian Pet Owner Must Know

India carries a substantial share of global human rabies deaths, and the great majority follow dog bites. Vaccinating pets is both a legal obligation and a public health contribution.

Vaccination

First dose at around three months, a booster at a year, then as directed. Keep the certificate — it is required for licensing, travel and boarding.

If your pet is bitten

Even a vaccinated pet bitten by an unknown animal needs veterinary assessment and usually an immediate booster. Do not wash the wound with bare hands.

If a person is bitten

Wash the wound with soap under running water for fifteen minutes — this alone substantially reduces risk — then seek post-exposure prophylaxis the same day. Rabies is essentially always fatal once symptoms begin, and always preventable before then.

Community dogs

Supporting local ABC and vaccination drives protects your own pet more than avoiding street dogs does.