Fifty thousand dogs across India vaccinated in 30 days – this is the goal ‘Mission Rabies’ has set for itself.
In an effort to control rabies through mass vaccination, a three year campaign has been launched by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), Mission Rabies and Blue Cross of India.
During the first 30 days of the project, they have aimed to cover 50,000 dogs in 12 of the worst affected regions in the country. Speaking to The Hindu, Dr Chinny Krishna, co-founder of Blue Cross of India, Vice Chairman of AWBI and president of Mission Rabies, said that since the campaign started on September 1 in Goa, they have covered over 25,000 dogs.
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“At this rate, we will be able to cross the original target we had set for ourselves. We have over a 100 volunteers from 20 countries, who have travelled here at their own expense to be a part of this mission. Most of them are para-vets and final year veterinary students, along with some veterinarians,” he said.
The volunteers catch the animals, vaccinate them and mark them with fabric paint and a collar for easy identification during follow up. The vaccine being used is effective for three years. Dr Krishnan said that the aim was to cover 70% of dogs in each area according to WHO guidelines to rabies prevention.
Speaking of the response in Chennai, he said, “Today we have vaccinated over 200 dogs in Royapuram. The Corporation Commissioner has been fully supportive of us. We expect to have local reinforcements to tackle the problem soon.”
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The mission will cover stations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and end in Assam on World Rabies on Saturday 28th September. For details, >visit Mission Rabies .