NAKHON PHANOM: Hundreds of cats and dogs have died in recent weeks due to overcrowding at quarantine stations in this northeastern province as fears of pets and strays carrying rabies continue to grip the nation, authorities said Tuesday.
Most of the casualties were young animals but none tested positive for the deadly virus that can be spread to humans through the saliva of infected animals, usually in the form of bites, said Narong Rattanatraiwong, head of the Nakhon Phanom Animal Quarantine Station.
Over 3,000 of the animals have been taken to the station so far from areas considered to be at risk of possible breakouts. Of that number, only about 1,400 are still alive, he said, citing intestinal illnesses and measles as being among the causes.
He said about a third of the animals registered at the centre since fears of rabies surfaced last month were puppies and kittens aged four to eight weeks.
Most of the animals that died got sick at the centre because they were young and vulnerable, he said, adding that more deaths are being recorded every day.
Mr Narong said it is a challenge to care for such young animals as they are so prone to catching diseases and infections.
Many are malnourished and it is difficult to ensure they receive enough milk to maintain a healthy immune system that is able to ward off disease in such crowded conditions, he added.
The station has sufficient funds to raise the animals for several more months until the rabies situation is brought under control, he said.
It costs the centre about 10,000 baht a day to cover the costs of caring for the animals, he added.
He said the station will not accept donations but it will accept animal feed.
Mr Narong urged the public to get their pets vaccinated against rabies.
Meanwhile, a member of the National Legislative Assembly is pushing for a new law on pet registration and stricter punishments for violators to reduce the number of strays in Bangkok and elsewhere, which are blamed for spreading rabies.
Wallop Tangkananurak called for the law after a man in Phatthalung died from the virus late last month, making him the seventh victim in three months.