Animal Treatment Fund

Over the last few months, Animal Relief for Rural Communities (ARRC) has partnered with State Veterinarians and fellow non-profit organisations, primarily HALO, to carry out large-scale rabies vaccination campaigns in underserved rural areas.

Through these collaborative efforts, ARRC has successfully vaccinated over 1,100 animals against rabies. This work has been made possible through your generous donations and the vital support of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). We are deeply grateful for your continued trust and commitment.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including both animals and humans. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost 100% fatal. The virus is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, with domestic dogs responsible for the majority of human rabies cases worldwide.

Rabies remains a serious public health concern in many rural communities where access to veterinary services and preventative healthcare is limited.

Why Vaccinating Animals is Critical

Vaccinating animals, especially dogs, is the most effective and cost-efficient way to prevent rabies in both animals and humans. By stopping the virus at its source, we significantly reduce the risk of transmission to people, livestock, and wildlife.

Preventing rabies through vaccination not only saves animal lives but also:

• Protects children and vulnerable community members
• Reduces the need for costly human post-exposure treatment
• Strengthens overall community health and safety

This One Health approach recognises that the health of animals, humans, and the environment are deeply interconnected.

Why 70% Vaccination Coverage Matters

Scientific research and global health authorities have shown that vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population creates herd immunity. This level of coverage interrupts rabies transmission, preventing outbreaks even when unvaccinated animals are present.

Achieving this threshold is essential to:

• Break the cycle of rabies transmission
• Protect future generations of animals and people
• Move communities toward long-term rabies elimination

This is the target ARRC and its partners are working towards in every campaign.

Thank You for Making This Possible

None of this work would be possible without your incredible support. Your donations enable vaccine procurement, transport to remote areas, and collaboration with veterinary professionals and partner organisations.

On behalf of the animals, the communities we serve, and the entire ARRC team — thank you for standing with us in the fight against rabies. Together, we are saving lives and building healthier, safer communities.

Did you know that 59,000 people still die from rabies each year, with 95% of these from bites from infected dogs? The best way to protect humans and dogs from rabies is by vaccinating dogs and keeping dog populations under control. 

Because of these staggering numbers and our aim to help eliminate rabies in our area we have started both door to door rabies campaigns and rabies vaccinations days. Through these campaigns we are able to cover parts of the communities we may not see very regularly.

Alongside these campaigns we are also very much pushing the sterilisation programs and have seen a large uptake in people signing up! We have even begun doing some mobile sterilisation days to try and combat the ever growing number of dogs! 

Your support has made this all possible and without it, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. So thank you! From both the ARRC team and the Selwane animals!