Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a move to safeguard its rabies-free status, the Goa government has made it compulsory for all visitors bringing pets into the State to register their animals and share vaccination details through the dedicated anti-rabies hotline.
A notification issued by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (DAHVS) mandates that anyone who has brought pet animals into Goa within the past year must furnish valid vaccination certificates or ensure that their dogs and cats are inoculated upon arrival. The step aims to prevent the reintroduction of the rabies virus into the State.
Goa was officially declared a “Rabies Controlled Area” in May 2021 after recording no human rabies deaths for three consecutive years. The same year, authorities made it mandatory for visiting pet owners to vaccinate their animals prior to entry.
However, officials say compliance has been inconsistent. Many visitors — particularly those owning second homes in Goa — continue to bring unregistered pets without proper vaccination documentation. This has raised concerns, especially along border areas adjoining Maharashtra and Karnataka, where sporadic rabies cases continue to surface in talukas such as Bicholim, Pernem, and Canacona.
“All dogs and cats entering Goa must be registered and vaccinated within the past year or immediately upon arrival,” the Directorate said in its directive. “Owners must carry the vaccination card as proof to ensure the virus does not re-enter the State.”
Since 2017, Goa has maintained strong control over rabies transmission, earning its “rabies-controlled” recognition after three years with zero human fatalities. The State reported a single case in 2023, but none in 2024 or so far this year.
