Empowering communities: Training for rabies elimination and humane animal welfare in Limpopo, South Africa
In July 2025, GARC collaborated with two of our Rabies Centers of Excellence, Animal Relief for Rural Communities (ARRC) and Hoedspruit Animal Outreach (HALO), to implement specialized training programs in the towns of Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province of South Africa. These training initiatives focused on building local capacity to ensure that both animals and humans are safe in these rural communities.
Targeted, hands-on training in the field
The training initiatives, facilitated by a renowned animal behavior specialist, Daniel Stewart, focused on the following key topics:
- Understanding dog behavior,
- How to humanely handle dogs,
- Vaccination protocols,
- Campaign planning, and
- Brain sample collection using a safe, non-invasive technique.
The first training program was hosted in Phalaborwa from 30 June to 4 July with a small, but motivated, group of local and international animal welfare volunteers from ARRC. The training included a practical component where participants could put their learning into action. They conducted animal welfare checks and vaccinated 44 dogs and 3 cats in the Selwane community. In addition to animal handling equipment, GARC also provided bite registers and educational resources to improve rabies surveillance and bite case management, helping to build stronger relationships with local health professionals and clinics. ARRC is also in the process of converting an old ambulance into a mobile clinic, which will expand their reach within the communities they serve.
The second training initiative was in Hoedspruit from 4 to 6 July. For this training, HALO’s deeply committed team of field officers, kennel hands, and volunteers were trained on the use of humane animal handling tools, and discussions clarified key issues like rabies vaccination schedules. Fieldwork included rabies and 5-in-1 vaccinations, deworming, and parasite treatments in community outreach clinics. HALO’s Saturday mobile clinics and their outreach to schools and communities offer strong platforms for expanding public education efforts.
GARC’s resources equip communities for continued impact
Both ARRC and HALO received essential supplies to support their work after the training. Each organization received control poles, nets, and leads as their correct and humane use formed part of the hands-on training. GARC’s free educational resources, including posters, booklets, and comics like Friends Don’t Bite, were distributed in both printed and digital formats. Participants also received critical training videos and summaries of presentations, enabling them to revisit the training if they have questions later.
Communities Against Rabies: Powerful agents of change
These types of training sessions do more than just build technical skills. At GARC, we believe in empowering people. By enhancing local organizations like ARRC and HALO’s capacity to run rabies vaccination campaigns, educate the public, and care for animals humanely, GARC is helping them become powerful agents of change. Whether it is ARRC’s converted mobile clinic in Phalaborwa, or HALO’s weekly outreach clinics in Hoedspruit, GARC’s training programs provide support in the form of education, practical skills development, and much-needed tools.
Rabies elimination is possible with community-based programs and together, we are saving lives: one community, one vaccine, one animal at a time. Do you want to know how you can become part of our Communities Against Rabies? Click here to read more.
