research projects, conservation, adam ferguson, human animal conflict, laikipia rabies vaccine campaign, dedan ngatia, dogs, cats

Rabies has no cure. At least 2000 human deaths are recorded in Kenya annually. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the rabies virus. Since 2015 this campaign has vaccinated 90,000 doga and cats. In 2024 the program became an ongoing effort.

In 2015, scientists at Mpala Research Centre embarked on a localized effort to combat rabies in Laikipia County.  Over 2,000 dogs and cats were vaccinated in 2015. In 2016, nearly 5,000 vaccinations were administered. The 2017 target was to vaccinate 10,000 dogs and cats with exercise spread over the six consecutive weekends in at least 20 locations in Laikipia.

During the 2017 Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign, 9,300 dogs and cats were vaccinated.

LRVC is run entirely on a volunteer basis, with veterinarians from the International Livestock Research Institute, students from Karatina University, local community members, and Mpala Research Centre scientists and staff all donating their time to the campaign.

The campaign is supported by partner organizations around Laikipia, including the Laikipia Wildlife Forum; the Ol Pejeta, Ol Jogi, and Borana Conservancies; and two Mpala-based research projects, the Kenya Rangelands Wild Dog and Cheetah Project, and the Small Carnivore Research and Parasite Study. It has also
received support from the Africa Network for Animal Welfare, the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, the University of Liverpool Institute of Infection and Global Health, the National Science Foundation, the Rufford Small Grants Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, Veterinarians International, Rift Valley Adventures, Lolomarik Farm, and Bruce Ludwig.

If you would like to participate in the 2018 campaign, please contact piaf@mpala.org.