OLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — A Colorado veterinarian’s deep passion for global health has raised nearly $14,000 to help eradicate rabies in rural Africa.
Dr. Ana McIntosh, Chief of Staff at Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital in Colorado, organized the inaugural “Run Wild! Rabies Free Africa 5K“. The virtual fundraiser invited runners, walkers, and animal lovers from around the world to log miles and donate to Washington State University’s (WSU) Rabies Free Africa program, easily bypassing its initial fundraising target.
The funds raised will go directly toward purchasing and distributing lifesaving canine rabies vaccines in remote villages across Tanzania.
[ THE PATH OF THE VACCINE DOLLAR ]
Step 1 ──▶ Virtual 5K entry fees and donations are collected online
Step 1 ──▶ Virtual 5K entry fees and donations are collected online
Step 2 ──▶ Funds go directly to WSU's Rabies Free Africa program
Step 3 ──▶ Veterinarians purchase and transport rabies vaccines to Tanzania
Step 4 ──▶ Rural dog populations are vaccinated, stopping rabies at the source
Preventing a Deadly Disease Before the Dog Bites
While rabies is highly preventable, it remains a devastating public health threat in parts of Africa, where access to expensive post-exposure treatments is limited. Because children are the most common victims of infected dog bites, canine vaccination programs are the single most effective way to save human lives.
Dr. McIntosh’s commitment to the cause solidified during a 10-day trip to Tanzania, where she helped vaccinate nearly 2,000 animals in remote villages.
“As veterinarians, we have a unique opportunity to eradicate rabies,” Dr. McIntosh explained. “Human doctors can treat patients after they’ve been bitten, but we can stop the disease entirely before the bite ever happens. Seeing the pride on children’s faces as they held up their dog’s rabies certificate made me realize how much this work truly means to these families”.
