World Rabies Day 2025: "Act Now: You, Me, Community"
Rabies Centres of Excellence collaborate to strengthen rabies elimination efforts
Cape Town, 17 September 2025 — Every year on 28 September, the world remembers rabies victims on World Rabies Day. This year’s theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community” is a call to action for individuals, leaders, and communities to eliminate rabies and save lives. In South Africa, FOUR PAWS has partnered with the GARC to introduce South African animal welfare groups to the Rabies Centres of Excellence (RCEs) initiative. This initiative aims to recognise and support local animal welfare groups that meet global standards for rabies elimination and community engagement.
In June, FOUR PAWS and GARC hosted a dedicated RCE webinar to provide South African animal welfare groups with information on:
- Best practices for rabies vaccination campaigns.
- Community engagement strategies to reduce dog-mediated rabies.
- Data collection and reporting aligned with international standards.
- Access to global expertise and mentorship through GARC’s network.
South Africa has a strong local commitment to rabies elimination with several representatives joining from multiple animal welfare groups. More than 60 national organisations were invited to the interactive session, featuring a Q&A session and practical guidance on how to become a recognised RCE.
The RCE Initiative: A Local Hub with Global Reach
RCEs in South Africa gain access to:
- GARC’s global network for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
- Educational resources adapted to local languages and communities.
- Digital surveillance tools for real-time data on rabies vaccination coverage.
- Funding opportunities and international visibility.
Rabies remains nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear but it is also 100% preventable. In South Africa, coordinated efforts through RCEs can significantly reduce risk and save lives.
What You Can Do
- Register your organisation as an RCE, click here
- Participate in local vaccination drives and community education.
- Spread awareness on social media using #WorldRabiesDay #WRD2025 #ActNow #EndRabiesTogether #OneHealth #YouMeCommunity
For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za