The Bariloche Model: Municipal Governance for Urban Animal Health and Zoonotic Disease Prevention

Urban animal populations represent an important interface between human health, animal health, and environmental systems. In many cities, uncontrolled reproduction of dogs and cats, abandonment, zoonotic diseases, and animal welfare concerns create complex public health challenges. Local governments increasingly play a key role in addressing these issues through integrated municipal policies aligned with the One Health approach.

The Municipality of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, has developed and implemented a comprehensive municipal strategy known as “Sanidad Animal + Cerca” (Animal Health + Closer). This program aims to improve urban animal health management through decentralized veterinary services, ethical population control, community education, and epidemiological surveillance.

This study describes the Bariloche Model of Urban Animal Health, a municipal public health framework structured around five strategic pillars: territorial intervention, ethical population control, preventive veterinary care, community education, and social participation. The model is implemented through neighborhood-based veterinary campaigns, including large-scale free spay–neuter programs, rabies vaccination, deworming, and clinical evaluations.

In addition to preventive services, the program integrates epidemiological research initiatives conducted during mass sterilization campaigns. These include the first municipal canine brucellosis study in Bariloche, involving blood sampling of more than 200 dogs attending free sterilization services, a parasite prevalence study, and a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey on rabies prevention. These activities demonstrate the potential of municipal veterinary programs as platforms for zoonotic disease surveillance and data generation.

The program also addresses broader urban animal management challenges, including the development of responsible adoption programs for rescued dogs, rehabilitation and adoption of animals involved in maltreatment cases, and an innovative municipal program for the recovery and responsible adoption of free-roaming horses captured in public spaces.

The Bariloche Model illustrates how municipal governments can implement integrated animal health policies that contribute to zoonotic disease prevention, improved animal welfare, and stronger community engagement. The experience highlights the potential of territorial veterinary interventions as tools for public health surveillance and evidence-based local governance within the One Health framework.

Pablo Daniel Roque is Director of Animal Health for the Municipality of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. His work focuses on the development and implementation of municipal policies for urban animal health, population control, zoonotic disease prevention, and responsible pet ownership. He leads the program “Sanidad Animal + Cerca,” a territorial veterinary initiative that integrates preventive services, community education, and epidemiological research. His work promotes a One Health approach to urban animal management, strengthening the role of local governments in public health strategies that link animal health, human health, and environmental wellbeing.