A large number of dogs have not been vaccinated against rabies, although it is mandatory, nor micro-chipped, Animal Friends Croatia said on Monday on the occasion of World Rabies Day, which is observed on 28 September.

Thanks to an Animal Friends Croatia petition, as of this year dogs no longer have to be vaccinated every year but based on vaccine manufacturers’ instructions as immunity is guaranteed for up to three years.

Vaccination is linked to micro-chipping as every dog without a microchip has not been vaccinated against rabies either.

Under the 2017 Animal Protection Act, towns and municipalities must visit every household to check if all dogs are micro-chipped. According to the Animal Protection Network, 44% of local government units have failed to do so, which is a prerequisite for checking the vaccination of dogs in foster care.

An estimated 20% of dogs in Croatia have not been micro-chipped nor vaccinated, which Animal Friends Croatia says is devastating considering the systematic checks being done across the country.

That is partly due to owners who avoid to have their dogs micro-chipped and vaccinated, the association said, adding that the rising number of abandoned animals was due to owners’ irresponsibility and breaking the law.

The association recommends that the Agriculture Ministry stipulate micro-chipping puppies 45 days after they are born at the least, before they receive the first rabies shot, instead of doing so when they are 90 days old and receive the first rabies shot, as is the case now.