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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 2025139Understanding Dog Keeping And Dog Meat Consumption Practices In Ainaro: Public Health Implications For Rabies Control In Timor-LesteAbrao J. Pereira, Alcino B. Soares, Abel Gomes, Marito B. GomesAnimal Health Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universidade Nacional Timor LorosaeAbstractDogs are an integral part of Timor-Leste%u2019s cultural and social fabric but also serve as key reservoirs for rabies, a fatal zoonotic disease. Following the country's first reported human rabies outbreak in mid-2024, there is an urgent need to understand communitylevel dog ownership and consumption practices that may influence rabies transmission. This cross-sectional study assessed dog demographics, ownership patterns, and dog meat consumption practices in Ainaro municipality and examined their implications for rabies control. A total of 247 household heads were interviewed between January and February 2025 using a structured questionnaire on the Epicollect5 mobile platform. Sample size was calculated using Statulator with a 5% margin of error, 90% confidence level, and 65% expected prevalence. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using Jamovi software. Results showed that 96% of households owned dogs, with a median of two dogs per household (range: 1%u201311), and a human-to-dog ratio of 2.3:1. Most dogs were local breeds (99%) obtained through breeding (56%) or as gifts (42%). Ownership purposes included home protection (99%), ritual use, meat consumption (63%), and sale (28%). Dog meat consumption was reported by 90% of participants, especially males (OR: 2.9; p = 0.01) and those under 42 years (OR: 4.2; p = 0.003). Only 13% of dogs had ever been vaccinated against rabies, though 98% of owners expressed willingness to participate in future vaccination campaigns. Rabies awareness was limited%u201466% had never heard of the disease, and only 65% of informed participants knew it could be transmitted via dog bites. Dog bite incidents were reported by 22% of respondents in the past year. This study reveals high dog ownership and meat consumption with low rabies awareness and vaccination coverage, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions and vaccination programs in Timor-Leste.Keywords: dogs, rabies, dog meat, Timor-Leste, zoonosis, vaccination, public health.