Chennai, Aug 11:
The Greater Chennai Corporation will launch a major rabies vaccination and deworming drive for stray dogs across the city on Tuesday, targeting nearly 2 lakh dogs in 75 working days as part of efforts to make Chennai rabies-free.
Around 30 teams, comprising veterinary doctors and other personnel, will capture stray dogs zone- and division-wise and administer rabies vaccines along with internal and external deworming medication. The dogs will be marked with coloured dye and released at the same location after vaccination.
The civic body plans to vaccinate around 3,000 dogs a day. The drive will initially cover Zones 1, 2 and 4 before being extended to all zones.
During last year’s special vaccination campaign, 1,47,545 stray dogs within Greater Chennai Corporation limits were administered rabies vaccines and deworming medication.
This year, the Corporation will also extend free rabies vaccination to pet dogs and cats.
The campaign is being conducted with the support of veterinary doctors and trainee veterinarians from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS).
The Corporation has appealed to residents, pet owners and animal welfare activists to cooperate with the vaccination teams and help achieve the goal of a “Rabies-Free Chennai.”