Under a new regulation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, cat and dog owners nationwide will have to register with local authorities from early next year.

According to the regulation, which is aimed at preventing and erasing rabies, people who raise dogs and cats must register with their local people’s committee at the wards or commune level, Van Dang Ky, head of the Epidemiology Office of the Veterinary Department, told Tuoi Tre. A general inquiry conducted on April 1 showed that the country has 10 million dogs, but according to reports submitted by veterinary departments, the number is only 6 million, Ky said. “Therefore, we expect to manage dogs and cats through this regulation on registration nationwide beginning in early 2013,” Ky explained. Accordingly, animals will be managed through ‘registration books of dogs and cats’ set up by the people’s committee of every ward or commune. The book will indicate all details about registered animals, such as species, gender, fur color, and what vaccines they have had. This information will be provided by owners on paperwork distributed to them by local authorities. Under the regulation, local authorities must set up teams to catch dogs or cats left on the streets or in residential areas, and animals suspected of having rabies. In areas affected by rabies, dog and cat owners must keep their animals in cages or closely monitor them for 15 days, and authorities must kill all stray dogs or cats. If rabies becomes widespread, all unvaccinated dogs and cats must be killed without waiting for test results. Quarantine stations are required to strengthen control over dog and cat traders and strictly punish violators of relevant regulations.

Van Dang Ky, head of the Epidemiology Office of the Veterinary Department, holds a 'registration book of dogs and cats' (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Feasibility Asked by Tuoi Tre about the feasibility of the new regulation, Ky said such methods have been applied in many other countries in the region, including Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. In a survey of 1,200 households in Phu Tho province, 90 percent of the respondents said such a regulation is necessary to better control the dog and cat populations. The application of this registration process nationwide is totally feasible, since it will be carried out by local officials, including the heads of hamlets and veterinary officers, who will collect the necessary information from each household. That means that dog or cat owners do not have to personally visit the people’s committee for registration, Ky said. Animal owners are required to immediately report to concerned agencies any changes in the number and the health of their animals. The new rule will be implemented first in Ho Chi Minh City before being applied nationwide. Nearly 80 people have died of rabies since the beginning of this year. Last year the death toll was 110, the Veterinary Department reported. Dogs were responsible for 95-97 percent of the total number of rabies cases, the agency said.