A total of 3,430 dogs were vaccinated against rabies during a six-day mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign across the Kodai Hills. The initiative was organized by The Kodaikanal Society for Protection and Care for Animals (KSPCA) in collaboration with the Kodaikanal municipality, Dindigul district administration, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, Mission Rabies India, and the WVS Veterinary Task Force.
Sterilization and Microchipping Efforts
In addition to vaccinations, 55 dogs were sterilized under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme within Kodaikanal municipality limits. All sterilized dogs received microchip implants for identification and ongoing monitoring. The vaccination teams covered Kodaikanal town as well as surrounding hamlets and settlements across the Kodai Hills region.
Community and Official Support
Janani Krishnamurthy, founder and managing trustee of KSPCA, stated, “As awareness increases, more pet owners understand the importance of vaccinations and bring their pets. The district authorities have also been very helpful and cooperative with our team of around 60 volunteers.” Regular vaccination and inspections have kept rabies cases in dogs at a minimum. “We also investigate any incidents of biting or violence by animals to ensure that they do not carry infection, helping to maintain rabies cases close to zero for several years now,” Janani added.
Ongoing Campaign Goals
While the vaccination drive officially concluded on Sunday, vaccinations will continue alongside the ABC programme until June 5. The team aims to sterilize at least 110 to 120 dogs each day during this phase and bring the total vaccination count to around 4,000. This effort is expected to create a healthier and more sustainable dog population while reducing future conflicts and improving community health.
