The initiative vaccinated more than 107 thousand dogs in municipalities and districts of Minas Gerais

Approximately 107,300 dogs were vaccinated by the Canine Vaccination Campaign organized by Samarco, surpassing the target of 100,000 animals. There were 230 actions carried out in 134 municipalities and districts of Minas Gerais, since its launch in June 2020. The project, developed in partnership with the NGO Ajuda, was concluded on December 9th, in Ouro Preto and Mariana, which hosted the campaign for the 13th time. Together, in this stage alone, the municipalities totaled over 2,300 vaccinations. The dogs received the V8 vaccine that protects against six types of disease (canine distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, coronavirus, canine parainfluenza and leptospirosis).

“The mobilization was positive, with a process based on control and traceability. In addition to protecting dogs against illnesses that can be fatal, the campaign made people aware of the importance of this precaution to ensure the health of the animals,” said Samarco's Environment analyst, Ana Paula Correa.

The initial projection was to serve 39 municipalities close to the territories where Samarco operates in Minas Gerais. With the advances of the campaign, the company was able to expand vaccination to other regions, meeting requests from the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development (Semad). In addition to immunization, examinations and clinical evaluations were provided. Most cities received more than one stage of the action.

All doses were purchased by the company, which paid for the specialized labor, the structure to care for the animals and the community, in addition to providing vehicles for transportation. With the end of the campaign, Samarco fulfills yet another commitment to deliver an environmental requirement, provided for in the Corrective Operating License (LOC), obtained for the resumption of activities that took place in December 2020.