Kochi Launches Three-Day Drive to Vaccinate 10,000 Stray Dogs Against Rabies

Quick Summary

• Kochi Corporation in Kerala aims to vaccinate 10,000 stray dogs across 74 divisions in three days under the Mission Rabies campaign, led by Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS).
• A 200-member team will execute the vaccination drive. WVS experts are collaborating with Corporation dog catchers for the project.
• Awareness sessions have started for school students.Stray dogs showing rabies symptoms are observed, tested, and vaccinated as part of ongoing efforts since August’s soft launch of the program.
• WVS promises six trained dog catchers to improve operations at Brahmapuram’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) center.
• kochi Corporation has proposed ₹95 lakh funding from BPCL-KR’s CSR initiative for additional vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades at ABC centres to address practical issues like vehicle shortages and power interruptions.
• The ABC centre currently operates with two veterinary surgeons but faces staffing challenges due to recruitment difficulties; existing dog catchers earn a monthly salary of ₹21,000 plus benefits.

Indian Opinion Analysis
the Mission Rabies campaign represents a crucial step toward addressing public health concerns through large-scale vaccination drives targeting stray animals. It underscores collaboration between governmental bodies and organizations like WVS that bring technical expertise and resources to local management’s efforts. while short-term measures such as mass vaccinations can control immediate risks associated with rabies outbreaks,structural issues revealed-like personnel shortages or inadequate facilities-might slow long-term progress unless resolved comprehensively through improved funding and infrastructure planning.

Efforts such as incorporating well-trained staff into ABC operations or obtaining CSR funds from private entities highlight resourcefulness in overcoming financial constraints but also expose dependency on external networks for systemic changes-a factor worth monitoring if sustainability proves challenging over time.Read more: The Hindu