GARC: Empowering rabies elimination since 2007

Since 2007, GARC has built capacity to enable local, national and global stakeholders to help eliminate rabies worldwide. We promote a One Health approach, bringing together human and animal health sectors for coordinated rabies elimination efforts. From individual champions and community groups to national governments, we empower people!

To continuously build capacity and support countries in implementing and monitoring their rabies programs, GARC provides technical support and practical tools. Our vision is clear: A world free from dog-mediated rabies.

Starting at grassroots level

To raise global awareness around rabies and how it is 100% preventable, our early efforts included founding World Rabies Day and the Partners for Rabies Prevention (PRP) network. In 2009, the PRP identified key challenges preventing rabies elimination:

  • unreliable data,
  • weak intersectoral coordination,
  • limited awareness of effective interventions, and
  • a lack of resources and political commitment.

In response to these identified gaps preventing global rabies elimination, GARC developed several tools to aid countries with rabies surveillance, awareness, and training. Today, GARC’s expert technical support and practical tools continue to enable users, empower individuals and build community capacity.

Zero by 30 possible with GARC’s tools

GARC’s expert technical support and practical tools enable users to empower individuals working within their communities and countries to implement and monitor their rabies elimination programs. The GARC tools include:

GARC has led proof-of-concept projects worldwide, supported global rabies burden studies, and advocated for the cost-effectiveness of canine vaccination to eliminate rabies. Education has been a cornerstone with the Rabies Educator Certificate and a rabies prevention focus integrated into national school curricula in the Philippines. Zero by 30 is only possible if we work together! Through our regional One Health rabies networks for Africa, Asia and the Middle East/Eurasia, we can share best practices, and build capacity by sharing tools and resources.

The Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE) is a framework that has been instrumental in national planning efforts. In 2025, more than 35 countries are using SARE to measure their progress towards rabies elimination.

Rabies awareness through GARC’s global initiatives

Initially, we focused on global advocacy through various initiatives. In 2015, GARC launched the End Rabies Now campaign, helping to drive global momentum towards Zero by 30 - the goal of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. We co-authored the development of the Zero by 30: Global Strategic Plan. This plan was the starting point of shifting our focus from global advocacy to building and strengthening capacity at the national and community levels. To completely eliminate rabies, we will need to work together and only through the efforts of global Communities Against Rabies will we be able to reach the last mile of rabies elimination.

Communities Against Rabies (CAR) was launched in 2023 with a specific focus on empowering local NGOs, community groups, and grassroots leaders to take ownership of rabies elimination programs. CAR enables a global community to come together and serve their communities! How can you join our global Community Against Rabies?

Explore our rabies prevention tools or contact GARC to join our mission.

 

GARC since 2007