1 Person dies of rabies every 30 minutes in India. 95% of the time it is the result of a dog bite. In order to prevent deaths, annually, on World's Rabies Day, DAR holds a 10 -day mass rabies vaccination and awareness camp. This is a combined effort of DAR and the community - vets, and volunteers. Mass Vaccination is the only way to eradicate the disease along with education of the people on post bite protocols. Rabies is 99% fatal but 100% preventable.
India has the highest numbers of stray dogs in the world at an approximated 62 million. India also has the highest amount of human deaths by rabies. 95% of the time this is the result of a dog bite. Rabies is 99% fatal and 100% preventable. The WHO calls rabies a "neglected zoonotic disease." With 59,000 people dying world wide each year and 36% in India, with little or no government intervention, it is neglected. In our town, it is up to DAR to try to manage the the endemic disease.
Every year, starting on World Rabies Day, September 28th, we run a mass vaccination 10-day camp. We partner with other NGOs and local feeders, recruit volunteers, and dedicate our staff to vaccinate as many dogs as possible. The goal is to hit 70% vaccination (percentages needed to eradicate rabies). We bring the community together to help capture the dogs and learn more about how to safely and compassionately interact with street dogs.
In addition to vaccinating 2000 street dogs, DAR is working to sterilize 90% of the population to control the dog population. This year we will sterilize 1,000 dogs to ensure the long term safety of the community for dogs and humans.
