GCC Launches Drive to Vaccinate 2 Lakh Stray Dogs in Chennai

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Tuesday launched a massive anti-rabies vaccination and deworming drive targeting two lakh stray dogs across the city. The first phase of the campaign commenced in the Tondiarpet, Tiruvottiyur, and Manali zones, with officials inaugurating the initiative at the Perambur MLA’s office premises in Tondiarpet as part of efforts to make Chennai rabies-free.

The inauguration ceremony was led by Corporation Joint Commissioner (Health) Shreya P. Singh, North Regional Deputy Commissioner Swetha Suman, and Tamil Nadu Housing Board Chairman V. Siva. During the launch event in Tondiarpet, officials flagged off a specially deployed vehicle tasked with catching and vaccinating stray dogs.

A separate vaccination camp for the Tiruvottiyur and Manali zones was held at the veterinary office premises on Kamarajar Salai in Manali. Beyond stray animals, pet owners were invited to utilise these camps to get their dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies and treated for internal and external parasites free of cost.

Under the campaign, trained dog-catching personnel will catch stray dogs from streets using nets. Veterinary doctors will then administer anti-rabies vaccines along with endectoparasiticidal medication. Before being released back at the exact locations where they were caught, the dogs will be marked with vegetable dye.

The GCC confirmed that the vaccination drive will cover stray dogs found on public streets as well as in and around educational institutions, hospitals, railway stations, and other public places across the city.

To execute the first phase, 30 teams have been deployed, with 10 teams operating simultaneously in each of the three initial zones. With each team expected to vaccinate approximately 100 stray dogs per day, the Corporation anticipates vaccinating around 3,000 dogs daily during this stage.

The campaign will run for 14 days in Tondiarpet, 14 days in Tiruvottiyur, and nine days in Manali. Following the completion of this initial phase, the Corporation plans to extend the initiative to all other civic zones, aiming to vaccinate approximately two lakh stray dogs within 75 working days.