KODAIKANAL
Kodaikanal Society for the Protection and Care for Animals (KSPCA), Humane Society International (HSI) and Kodaikanal Municipality have jointly undertaken a mass vaccination and birth control drive for owned, semi-owned and stray dogs. The drive is being carried out in Kodaikanal town and surrounding villages. In May, about 300-odd dogs were vaccinated against rabies and 77 dogs underwent birth control surgeries.
“We have been concentrating on rabies since 2017 when we vaccinated around 500 dogs. Earlier, there were many complaints of dog bites around the lake here that were forwarded to us by the municipality and after the launch of vaccination drives, the complaints have come down,” said Janani Krishnamoorthy, Managing Trustee, KSPCA.
“Since, Kodaikanal is a tourist town, it’s important to have a safe environment here. The municipality has allotted the KSPCA a building for setting up the facility, a vehicle to catch dogs and some trained personnel. We also provide ₹350 per dog for the birth control surgery. This expense is managed from revenue fund. We have written to Animal Welfare Board, India, for additional funds,” said R. Murugesan, Commissioner/Special Officer, Kodaikanal Municipality.
“However, the KSPCA has been raising funds and paying the HSI ₹1,000 per dog for the surgery,” added Ms. Janani. “Recently, we received a dog bite call from Anna Nagar here and that’s why we have started a follow-up. This year, we have planned to extend our service across Dindigul district.”
Kodaikanal also has many working equines, for which the Society carries out dental check-up, deworming and tetanus vaccination with the help of Worldwide Veterinary Services, Udhagamandalam. More than 1,000 equines, including Kathiawari horses used for rides by tourists around the lake, and ponies used for carrying loads in villages have been vaccinated in Palani, Mannavanur, Kookal and Poombarai apart from Kodaikanal town since 2017. “We also do post-bite counselling to raise awareness among dog owners and general public,” said Ms. Janani.
