In Thailand in recent months there has been a big debate about a policy called “set zero.” Even though Thailand’s rabies rate has dropped since the 1980s, there is a false conception that rabies is spreading at a high rate. To be clear, “set zero” can’t be described as anything other than canine and feline genocide. The only big idea behind this policy is to round up and kill as many dogs and cats as possible. Thailand does have a big problem with stray dogs and cats roaming free, it’s true, but “set zero” advocates euthanisation, for no good reason. The policy that has reduced the stray dog population and made the island of Phuket rabies-free is vaccination and sterilization.

The Soi Dog Foundation (the people behind the vaccinations and decrease of rabies in Phuket) are now highlighting an awful situation in which dogs and cats are being rounded up, and because they are packed in in close quarters, they are dying of disease. This situation is at breaking point. And Thailand is not the only country in which panics about infectious diseases causes mass culling, rather than thoughtful vaccination and sterilization programs. We are vulnerable to this thinking and these actions in the US too. It isn’t exaggerating to say that this is the same pattern that leads to genocide. With complete misunderstanding of the threat of rabies, a shadowy “enemy” has been created, and the cruel extermination of dogs and cats is seen as the “solution” to stamp out the evil. To act rationally and with compassion towards these animals is also to curb dangerous, violent tendencies within ourselves that could affect our fellow humans too.

Things you can do:

Educate your friends and neighbors about the importance of vaccinating all pets: https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/rabies-facts-prevention-tips/

Visit the Soi Dog Foundation website to see what you can do to help: https://www.soidog.org/