The Rabies-free Kerala project to provide anti-rabies vaccination to stray dogs in all 76 panchayats of the district, has begun in Kalluvathukkal.
A joint venture of the district panchayat, Compassion for Animals Welfare Association (CAWA) and the Animal Husbandry department, the project was inaugurated by District Panchayat president P.K. Gopan at a function held at Government Medical College, Paripally.
“At a time when stray dogs menace is becoming severe and seriously affecting public health, the vaccination campaign is of great importance,” said Mr Gopan.
The project is being implemented by catching stray dogs in all 23 wards of Kalluvathukkal panchayat, vaccinating them, and marking them on the forehead. The project will then be extended to the panchayats of Chathannur, Poothakulam Chirakkara and Adichanallur in Ithikkara block. CAWA, which operates with the approval of the Animal Welfare Board of India, will be implementing the project. In each panchayat a seven-member team, including four dog handlers, will be in charge of the project.
The dogs will be marked on the forehead with non-toxic paint, and the dogs’ details will be recorded through a special software. Already, 3,219 dogs in Kollam Corporation have been vaccinated against rabies while awareness camps are also being organized for school and college students.
