World Rabies Day: United for a Rabies-Free World

Join our mission this World Rabies Day and help us end rabies for good.

About Rabies

Rabies still causes immense suffering for communities around the world - taking a life every 9 minutes. A disease so dangerous that once symptoms show, it's too late - rabies is fatal. The disease disproportionately impacts upon the world's most disadvantaged areas, with poor communities carrying the greatest burden.

With 99% of human rabies cases being caused by an infected dog bite, fear of the disease leads to hostile attitudes towards dogs, ultimately resulting in indiscriminate culling programmes. We have the power to change this, by taking a One Health approach we can protect both people and animals from the devastation of rabies.

What is World Rabies Day?

World Rabies Day is celebrated annually on 28th September to raise awareness and advocate for the global elimination of rabies. It's also about highlighting progress in defeating this deadly disease. The date honours French chemist- Louis Pasteur - who produced the first anti-rabies vaccine in 1885.

Mission Rabies: Our Goal

Like you, we think it’s time to put an end to the untold pain and suffering caused by rabies.

Science shows that the most effective way to control rabies is through vaccinating dogs in places where rabies is endemic. We head to rabies hotspots and run mass vaccination campaign, aiming for a 70% vaccination coverage to achieve herd immunity and stop rabies in it's track. By stopping rabies at the source we can protect whole communities - dogs, other animals and people.

Alongside this we educate children and communities to equip them with the crucial knowledge to protect themselves against the cruelty of rabies. We also run sustainable surveillance systems in rabies hotspots to ensure the safety of communities by responding to suspected cases.

Get involved

This World Rabies Day we need your help to create a rabies free world. There are lots of ways you can get involved in our mission.

Fundraising challenge

Are you ready to push yourself? This World Rabies Day sign up for an event or challenge to raise funds to protect communities all around the globe. Secure a place at a running event, take on a skydive or a Tough Mudder, or create your own challenge. Whatever you choose to do our team will be there with you every step of the way.

Read our frequently asked questions on fundraising for more support. Email us at fundraising@wvs@org.uk if you have any questions or would like any support.

Volunteering adventure

We ask volunteers from around the world to join us on our vaccination campaigns and they play a vital role in the life-saving mission to end rabies. Volunteering with Mission Rabies is about becoming part of a community. It’s making friends with your local team and fellow volunteers, meeting kind and welcoming people who truly appreciate your help, and spending time with sweet dogs, knowing you have helped keep them safe. Most of all, it’s the rewarding feeling knowing you have helped leave a community safer than you found it.

Discover more and apply. Email us at volunteers@mail.volunteer.wvs.org.uk if you have any questions or would like any support

Raising awareness

In the fight against rabies, knowledge is one of the most powerful tools. Yet people around the world are still unaware of the dangers of rabies and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves. By helping us spread awareness, you can empower individuals, families, and communities with the life-saving knowledge to protect themselves.