The National Veterinary Services Department has announced that, starting January 2026, all pets in Ghana will be required to undergo mandatory vaccination.
As part of this initiative, vaccinated pets will receive official vaccination cards to ensure compliance and enable effective monitoring.
The program aims to reduce rabies-related deaths and enhance pet health management across the country.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Samuel Cudjoe, emphasized the importance of the rollout, stating:
“From January 2026, a national pet vaccination card will be issued for every vaccinated dog or cat through private veterinary service centers. These measures will make rabies vaccination mandatory nationwide and support proper tracking, harmonized reporting, and reliable national data generation.”
The Department expects the initiative to significantly lower rabies infection rates—still a major public health threat in Ghana—and provide a more accurate database of the country’s pet population.
