In July 2025, in the Sairam residential area, which belongs to the Karatau district of the city of Shymkent, veterinary service employees carried out a preventive event aimed at preventing the spread of rabies among animals and protecting the population from this dangerous infection. The initiative came from veterinarians of the 4th veterinary point, who on that day held an explanatory talk with local residents, distributed leaflets and advised citizens on vaccination of domestic animals.

The reason for holding such a meeting was the annual increase in calls regarding bites from domestic and stray animals, as well as general concern about possible cases of rabies infection. According to experts, the disease remains deadly and incurable if timely preventive measures are not taken. That is why the key focus of the event was the need for routine vaccination of dogs and cats, especially in the private sector, where animals are often kept free-range.

At the meeting, veterinarians explained in an accessible way how the rabies virus is transmitted, what symptoms an infected animal has, and what a person should do in case of possible contact with a sick animal. Particular attention was paid to the fact that vaccination is the only effective way to prevent infection, and it must be carried out annually. Residents were reminded that refusing or postponing vaccination can lead not only to the death of the animal, but also to the risk of infection of a person, especially children, who most often suffer from bites.

The event also addressed issues of pet registration and record keeping, which helps to more effectively control the epidemiological situation. Experts cited statistics on the number of registered animals in the district and spoke about plans to increase vaccination coverage. According to them, over the past six months alone, over 4,000 dogs and cats have been vaccinated in the Karatau district, but there are still areas in the private sector where the number of unvaccinated animals remains high.

It is interesting to note that similar events have already been held in Shymkent before, but in recent years their format has changed significantly. If, for example, in 2022-2023, the work of veterinarians was mainly limited to going door to door offering vaccinations, now the emphasis is on informing, involving the population and explanatory work. Residents themselves confirm that in previous years they often did not understand why vaccination was necessary and did not attach any importance to it. Today, thanks to live communication with veterinarians, many people's perception of the topic is changing, and they have gained trust in specialists.

An important distinction of this year's event was that it was held in an open dialogue format. Residents not only listened to recommendations, but also asked questions, inquired about the composition of vaccines, possible side effects, and the safety of injections for puppies and pregnant animals. Veterinarians patiently answered, demonstrated visual materials, and even showed how to properly secure an animal during vaccination.

An important result of the meeting was the increased willingness of residents to vaccinate their pets. Many signed up for vaccinations right on the spot or clarified the working hours of veterinary clinics. The possibility of mobile vaccinations in remote microdistricts where there is no permanent access to a veterinary clinic was also discussed.

For greater clarity, information leaflets were distributed to residents, which briefly outlined the main preventive measures, signs of illness in animals, rules of conduct in case of a bite, as well as contacts of local veterinary services. This approach has already proven its effectiveness in other areas of Shymkent, where after similar events, a decrease in the number of requests for bites and an increase in the number of vaccinated animals were recorded.

Comparing the current campaign with previous years, it can be said that it has become more organized, accessible and humane. Veterinarians have moved from a simple administrative function to an active explanatory mission, which contributes to the growth of trust on the part of the population and a better perception of information.

In general, holding such events is of great importance for cities with a high population density and a large number of domestic animals. In Shymkent, where the private sector and densely populated multi-story areas coexist, such preventive actions help prevent dangerous cases and preserve the health of both animals and people.

Similar events are planned to be held in other parts of the city in the coming weeks. Veterinary specialists have already drawn up a schedule of meetings with the population, including educational lectures, mobile vaccination points and mobile consultations. In addition, measures will be strengthened to combat stray animals, which are the main carriers of the virus in the urban environment.

Thus, the August 3 event in Sairam became part of a broad city program to prevent epidemiological threats and to develop a responsible attitude toward keeping pets. And although the path to complete safety is still long, such steps already today make the city more prosperous and secure.