September 28 marks the 3rd Annual World Rabies Day. This is a preventable disease that kills nearly 55,000 people every year. Most of those human deaths occur in African and Asian regions. With the proper animal vaccination and appropriate medical care, this viral disease can be stopped.

Growing up in a region that was on the outskirts of a big city, I understand how difficult it can be for some people to access the proper medical care and vaccinations necessary to prevent such diseases. And with such a large population of abandoned dogs roaming the streets around the world, it is no surprise that so many deaths occur each year due to uncontrollable rabies in dogs.

Since the inaugural campaign in 2007, World Rabies day events around the globe have helped to educate millions of people. And as a result, more than 3 million dogs have been vaccinated at these events! The Alliance for Rabies Control continues to raise awareness about this preventable disease and help put an end to the spread of rabies.

With the rise of health epidemics around the world, it is important to support our global community by attending a World Rabies Day event and help provide vaccinations to those areas that may not have access. Recently, the Millan Foundation awarded one of its grants to the French organization Inter Actions in order to assist them in their efforts towards sterilizing the Bali stray dog population. Many of them carry the rabies virus and spaying and neutering is just one way they are attacking the problem.

Bali is a popular tourist destination, but when you visit, you don’t necessarily see the problems, like how rabies is affecting the dogs and people there. That’s often what happens when you travel. You can miss the reality because that’s the very thing you’re escaping. But there’s a simple solution—prevention. Part of being a compassionate human being is being a humanitarian, helping those in need, and the Foundation is committed to helping as many as we can.

To find a World Rabies Day event in your area, check out the event listing here!