Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital Supports Global Rabies Prevention Efforts

April 9, 2026

At Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital, caring for pets goes beyond our local community. Through global partnerships and hands-on involvement, our team is helping protect both animals and people around the world. 

Earlier this year, Dr. Anastasia McIntosh had the opportunity to travel to Africa to take part in rabies vaccination efforts with Rabies Free Africa (RFA). Her experience highlights how preventive veterinary care can save lives, especially the lives of children. 

Dr. Anastasia McIntosh’s Work with Rabies Free Africa 

In June 2025, Dr. McIntosh traveled to Tanzania with Vetcor to assist Rabies Free Africa in vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies. Working in the field alongside other veterinary professionals, she helped deliver life-saving vaccines while learning more about the public health challenges faced by local communities. 

Rabies is most often spread through dog bites, and children are especially at risk. By vaccinating pets, veterinarians can stop the disease before it reaches people. Dr. McIntosh saw firsthand how this simple but powerful prevention step protects families and entire communities. 

“It was an amazing way to use my veterinary skills in a different way to improve the lives of not only pets, but humans too. Most rabies deaths in the world are a result of dog bites, especially to children. By vaccinating the pets, we can save the lives of kids. Since returning home, I have spent months organizing the Run Wild! Rabies Free Africa 5K.” 

Her experience reinforced the importance of rabies prevention and strengthened Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital’s commitment to ongoing support of Rabies Free Africa. 

Why Rabies Vaccination Is So Important 

Rabies is one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases in the world, but it is also completely preventable. The global impact of rabies shows why vaccination programs matter so much: 

• Around 60,000 people die from rabies every year 
• 99% of rabies cases occur in Africa and Asia 
• About half of rabies victims are children under 16 
• Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal 
• Vaccinating dogs and cats can fully prevent the disease 

Recent data from the Rabies Free Africa team shows just how powerful and practical dog vaccination programs can be in transforming public health outcomes. 

In 2025 alone, the program vaccinated 250,000 dogs and prevented an estimated 2,800 people from being bitten by a rabid dog. What’s especially powerful is what this means for communities. Families are spared from long, often 20-mile journeys, many times on foot, to access human rabies vaccines, which can cost more than a month’s wages for the full series. 

Key highlights from Rabies Free Africa’s impact: 

• 250,000 dogs vaccinated in 2025 
• 850 villages reached in the Mara Region 
• More than 3 million dogs vaccinated since 2012 

In the areas where the Rabies Free Africa team works, rabies deaths are now near zero, and more than 3.5 million people are living in protected communities. Tanzania is truly on a path to becoming the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate canine rabies entirely. 

From Global Mission to Local Action 

After returning home, Dr. McIntosh looked for a way to continue raising awareness and support. She combined her passion for veterinary medicine and running to organize the Run Wild! Rabies Free Africa 5K. 

This event is a virtual 5K, meaning anyone can participate from anywhere. Participants can run, walk, jog (or even sleep in!) while still supporting a meaningful cause. All proceeds from the event go directly to Rabies Free Africa. 

Sign up for the Run Wild! Rabies Free Africa 5K. 

How Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital Makes a Difference 

Every time a pet receives a rabies vaccine at Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital, it helps protect more than just that pet. Rabies vaccination keeps families safe, protects the local community, and supports global rabies prevention efforts. 

Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital is proud to support Rabies Free Africa and grateful to clients who prioritize preventive care for their pets. Together, we are helping work toward the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. 

To learn more about our ongoing partnership with Rabies Free Africa, visit our full blog about this important collaboration. 

Small Steps, Big Impact 

Dr. McIntosh’s experience shows how veterinarians can make a difference far beyond their clinics. Through vaccination, education, and community support, rabies prevention saves lives both locally and worldwide. 

By keeping pets vaccinated and supporting efforts like the Run Wild! 5K, our community is playing a role in protecting children, families, and animals around the globe.