As responsible pet food producers and pet owners, GAPFA members support the joined efforts of the four organisations under the United Against Rabies collaboration – the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) – to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. 

Rabies in dogs has been effectively managed in developed countries in recent years with the aid of strict vaccination laws and veterinary care. However, the virus is still more present in many areas of the globe. In fact, over 95% of human cases of rabies globally are due to dog bites¹. But unlike many other diseases, all the tools needed to eradicate rabies already exist.

The global strategic plan of the United Against Rabies collaboration prioritises the societal changes needed to reach zero dog-mediated rabies cases by 2030 into three objectives: (1) to effectively use vaccines, medicines, tools and technologies to reduce the risk of human rabies through expanded dog vaccinations, improved awareness and increased access to healthcare; (2) to generate, innovate and measure impact through effective policies by harmonising international recommendations and ensuring the availability of reliable data to enable effective decision-making; and (3) to sustain commitment and resources through multi-stakeholder engagement and by demonstrating the impact of activities completed under the United Against Rabies collaboration in national, regional and global rabies elimination programme.

GAPFA acknowledges the importance of developing coherent strategies for sustainable responsible dog ownership practices and bite prevention education, as well as engaging partners, communities, and national and international media to increase rabies awareness. Global campaigns such as World Rabies Day already actively involve community leaders and bring rabies to the forefront through innovative local activities and events.

Each year, on 28 September, World Rabies Day brings together the international community to promote the fight against rabies. If you want to join the global movement, you can organise or participate in any event near your home. You can check out the WOAH tools and learn more about rabies here, and discover here how you can contribute to raise awareness on rabies by joining the #RabiesEndsHere community. We support the joined efforts and community engagement to eliminate this fatal but preventable disease by 2030.

¹ Based on the information from the WOAH website