Hanoi initiates trial program for rabies control and encouragement of dog and cat meat trading industry transition
In a significant step towards promoting community health, animal welfare, and sustainable development, the Hanoi City People's Committee has partnered with the Soi Dog Foundation. The collaboration aims to eradicate human rabies deaths by 2030 and put an end to the dog and cat meat trade.
The pilot project, launched in Hanoi, focuses on several integrated activities. These include managing dog and cat populations more effectively to reduce stray and ownerless animals, providing professional veterinary training, enhancing stray dog-catching operations, implementing community education and communication programs, and supporting livelihood transitions for households involved in the dog and cat meat trade.
This comprehensive strategy is designed to protect public health, support behavioral change, and foster economic and social sustainability while promoting modern animal welfare practices aligned with international standards. It marks a significant policy shift in Hanoi towards humane treatment of companion animals and sustainable urban health management.
The project targets zero human rabies deaths through vaccination campaigns, improved animal control, and public education, thus reducing the risk of rabies transmission. It also promotes humane handling and management of dogs and cats, combating cruel practices linked to the meat trade, and aligning local policies with global animal protection trends.
By supporting alternative livelihoods for those previously dependent on the dog and cat meat trade and incorporating public participation, the project contributes to Hanoi’s broader sustainable development strategy.
This cooperation model, expected to serve as a replicable model for other localities in Vietnam, is the first of its kind to be implemented in a major city in Vietnam. It is part of Hanoi City People's Committee's cooperation programme and is expected to significantly contribute to achieving the national strategic goal of eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030.
An award ceremony for a competition to highlight the dangers of rabies within the dog and cat meat trade took place in Hanoi on April 29. The competition was organized by Thanh Nien Magazine in partnership with the Vietnam Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Sustainable Development and the Soi Dog Foundation.
Moreover, a parliamentary handbook titled "National Assembly deputies with the improvement of policies and laws on animal protection" was launched on April 2 to improve the legal framework for animal management, especially for companion animals such as dogs and cats.
According to Bui Duyen, director of Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Sustainable Development Vietnam (SBCC Vietnam), the overall strategy ensures Hanoi will achieve its set objectives while creating new standards for urban community health protection initiatives nationwide.
The policy dialogue on dog and cat meat trade was broadcast by Vietnam National Assembly Television (VNATV) on December 3. The cooperation action plan establishes a framework for implementing disease prevention measures, with a focus on rabies prevention. The agreement was signed on August 7, 2021, in Hanoi City.
In summary, this multidimensional, sustainable approach represents Hanoi’s leadership in addressing health and welfare challenges connected to rabies and the dog and cat meat trade. The project demonstrates practical effectiveness in proactive efforts to implement community health protection measures and support transition to civilised business models.
- The Science of veterinary medicine plays a crucial role in this collaborative initiative between Hanoi City People's Committee and the Soi Dog Foundation.
- The workplace-wellness of the veterinary teams is essential for the successful execution of the project's activities.
- Unaddressed medical-conditions like rabies pose a significant threat to public health, as demonstrated in the project's focus on eradicating human deaths due to rabies by 2030.
- Chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes can be aggravated by poor diet and lack of exercise, factors sometimes associated with digestive-health issues.
- The project aims to reduce the risk of cancer by combating cruel practices linked to the dog and cat meat trade.
- Respiratory-conditions, such as kennel cough, can be prevalent in stray animal populations, making effective dog and cat management a key part of the project.
- Eye-health is another concern for stray animals, and the project includes efforts to improve their overall health and living conditions.
- Hearing impairment or deafness is common in some animals, and the project could potentially include veterinary care for such conditions.
- Health-and-wellness extends to all living creatures, including animals, and this project emphasizes the importance of humane treatment for companion animals.
- Fitness-and-exercise are essential components of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for all beings, including our canine and feline friends.
- Sexual-health education is important for pets as well, as it can help prevent unwanted pregnancies and manage health issues related to reproductive systems.
- Autoimmune-disorders can affect both humans and animals, and the project may involve sharing knowledge about these conditions to improve diagnostic capabilities.
- Climate-change and its effects on animal populations are a growing concern, and the project seeks to promote sustainable development to mitigate such impacts.
- In the manufacturing sector, it is crucial to adhere to safety standards to prevent injuries and illnesses, a concept paralleling the project's focus on health and safety for animals.
- Mental-health issues can affect both humans and animals, and the project could potentially involve collaboration with mental health professionals to address such concerns.
- Mens-health encompasses various aspects of male well-being, including reproductive health, prostate health, and cardiovascular health – areas that could potentially be impacted by the project.
- Skin-care is an important aspect of animal health as well as human health, and the project may involve efforts to improve the skin health of the animals involved.
- Therapies-and-treatments for various medical conditions are a vital part of maintaining animal health, and the project may involve partnerships with veterinary clinics or research organizations.
- Aging can affect both humans and animals, and the project may involve efforts to provide appropriate care for older animals.
- Women's-health includes reproductive health, menstrual health, and breast health – areas that could potentially be impacted by the project, especially in terms of spaying and neutering of stray animals.
- Parenting skills for pet owners can be crucial in managing the health and well-being of their pets, and the project may involve educational programs for pet owners.
- Weight-management is an essential part of maintaining overall health in both animals and humans, and the project may involve efforts to address this issue.
- Cardiovascular-health is a key concern for both humans and animals, and the project may involve efforts to prevent heart disease in the pets involved.
- The project's focus on eliminating the dog and cat meat trade and promoting humane treatment aligns with global industry standards for ethical treatment of animals.
- Medicare, a government program providing health insurance to seniors in the United States, could potentially benefit from similar initiatives aimed at improving animal health and welfare.
- CBD, a compound found in cannabis plants, has shown potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of medical-conditions, including chronic pain and anxiety.
- Neurological-disorders can affect both humans and animals, and the project may involve efforts to manage or prevent such conditions.
- Environmental-science plays a crucial role in understanding the impacts of human activities on the health of both animals and the environment, and the project's focus on sustainable development demonstrates this connection.
