Bangkok, Thailand (September 28, 2026) — On World Rabies Day, Mars, Incorporated is celebrating a partnership with Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) to support final-mile rabies elimination in Thailand. The partnership is supported by a $3M philanthropic grant awarded through the Mars Impact Fund, which is focused on strengthening sourcing community resilience, developing the next generation of scientists and improving companion animal wellbeing.
“At Mars, improving the lives of pets around the world is a priority for us,” said Michelle Grogg, Executive Director of the Mars Impact Fund. “Our partnership with Worldwide Veterinary Service and its Mission Rabies program directly advances the Mars Impact Fund's pillar of improving companion animal wellbeing through a prevention-first approach, helping strengthen veterinary capacity and the systems that protect both animals and the communities that care for them."
Phased over three years, the funding will enable Worldwide Veterinary Service to work alongside Thailand's government-led rabies elimination efforts. It will bring specialist veterinary expertise and targeted field support to help reach free-roaming and hard-to-reach dog populations that vaccination campaigns can struggle to access, strengthen integrated rabies surveillance so outbreaks can be detected early and build the capacity of veterinary and public health teams to sustain this progress, including through the Worldwide Veterinary Service International Training Centre in Chiang Mai. Building on the strong foundations established by Thailand's Department of Livestock Development and its provincial offices, the partnership will complement existing efforts with the technical expertise, training and field capacity needed to reach remaining high-risk populations. This will help protect millions of people and animals while strengthening critical response capabilities within Thailand's national One Health systems and bringing the country closer to lasting rabies elimination.
"Rabies is one of the few major global health challenges we know how to end, and Thailand is where we can prove it," said Dr. Luke Gamble, Founder and Chief Executive of Worldwide Veterinary Service. "Our teams know exactly what the final mile looks like. It is hot, slow, unglamorous work, going street by street and village by village to find the dogs everyone else misses, and it is where elimination is won or lost. The Mars Impact Fund's support means we can power on at real pace, with sharper surveillance and more vets trained at our center in Chiang Mai. Get this right in Thailand and we have a blueprint for the rest of the region."
Mars, a global leader in pet care products and veterinary services, and the company behind some of the world’s most-loved pet care brands such as ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS® and CESAR®, is committed to improving the lives of pets around the world.
“Our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS is built on the belief that healthy pets create thriving communities," said Dr. Susan Wan, Veterinary Expert and Cluster Director — Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand at Mars Petcare SEA. "Rabies is entirely preventable, yet it continues to pose a threat to both companion animals and families across the region. Prioritizing final-mile disease prevention in Thailand allows us to address the root cause of transmission, protect vulnerable free-roaming dog populations and reinforce our long-term commitment to advancing veterinary health and community wellbeing where our associates live and work.”
“Partnering with Worldwide Veterinary Service is an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside experts in global animal health and disease elimination," said Dr. Chadon Suwanarit, Managing Director, Royal Canin Thailand. "WVS brings the specialized training and veterinary teams needed to turn a national public effort into a reality, and we are proud to stand alongside them."
The announcement follows a THB 7 billion investment in Thailand announced by Mars earlier this month. For more information about the Mars Impact Fund, its priorities and active grant partnerships, please visit www.mars.com/mars-impact-fund.
