New tool will help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean prevent rabies and other zoonotic diseases through better data on dog and cat populations

The methodology provides a practical and adaptable approach to estimating dog and cat populations, improving the planning of vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, and other public health interventions.

Rio de Janeiro, September 3, 2026 (PANAFTOSA/VPH-PAHO/WHO) - The Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the Methodology for Estimating Dog and Cat Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean, a new tool designed to help countries generate more reliable data on dog and cat populations and strengthen the planning of public health and animal health interventions.

"Understanding the size, distribution, and characteristics of dog and cat populations is essential for guiding public health and animal health actions," said Manuel Sánchez Vázquez, Director of PANAFTOSA. "This methodology provides countries with a practical tool to generate reliable information, strengthen the prevention of zoonotic diseases, and support evidence-based decision-making through a One Health approach."

The relationship between people and dogs and cats brings important benefits, ranging from companionship and emotional well-being to support in activities such as guarding, herding, pest control, and assistance for people with disabilities. However, irresponsible ownership, abandonment, and uncontrolled breeding can contribute to the presence of free-roaming animals and create challenges for public health.

Close interaction between people, dogs, and cats can also facilitate the transmission of zoonotic diseases, including rabies, sporotrichosis, dermatophytosis, Bartonella henselae infection, visceral leishmaniasis, and echinococcosis.

Although countries in the Americas have made significant progress in preventing and controlling dog-mediated rabies, the disease continues to claim lives in the Region. Between 2023 and August 2026, 62 human rabies cases were reported in the Americas, including 32 associated with dog transmission.

Each year, countries across the Region vaccinate at least 50 million dogs through public vaccination campaigns as part of efforts to prevent rabies transmission and protect both human and animal health.

Sustaining and expanding these gains requires up-to-date information on animal populations and the areas where risks remain highest.

An adaptable methodology for different settings

Dog and cat populations vary depending on their relationship with people. In urban areas, for example, owned, semi-owned, community, and free-roaming animals may coexist. Understanding how these populations are distributed helps authorities design more effective interventions tailored to local realities.

To address this challenge, the methodology offers a standardized yet flexible approach that can be adapted to different geographic and social contexts while generating reliable population estimates for decision-making.

The methodology includes practical implementation tools such as adaptable questionnaires, fieldwork checklists, and guidance for data analysis. The approach allows data collection to be tailored to the demographic, geographic, and social characteristics of each locality.

Information generated through the methodology can help public health and animal health authorities identify risks, design interventions tailored to local needs and strengthen the prevention and response to zoonotic diseases.

The publication is intended to support public health and animal health authorities in generating dog and cat population estimates to strengthen zoonotic disease surveillance and control, improve planning for rabies vaccination campaigns, and support other public health actions.