Rabies Drive: 1.5 Lakh Chennai Stray Dogs Get Vaccinated

Chennai's civic body has reported that 1,50,303 stray dogs have received rabies vaccines under a special drive to protect residents and move the city toward rabies elimination. The update was given by Corporation Commissioner GS Samiran on Thursday.

The campaign ran from August 11 to October 21. Apart from vaccination, stray dogs were also treated for internal and external parasites.

The initiative forms part of efforts to implement the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's directive to make the state rabies-free. The comprehensive programme covers stray dogs in all 15 zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation.

According to the statement, camps in Valasaravakkam, Adyar and Sholinganallur were still running. Ambattur topped the list with 21,844 dogs vaccinated and treated for parasites. Madhavaram accounted for 15,038 dogs, and T. Nagar for 13,849.

Perungudi, Tondiarpet and Tiruvottiyur reported 12,752, 12,477 and 12,313 dogs respectively. Anna Nagar vaccinated 11,895 dogs and Kodambakkam 10,131. In Royapuram, 8,598 dogs were vaccinated and treated, while Teynampet recorded 7,782, Manali 7,200 and Alandur 4,343.

In the three areas where camps remained open until October 21, the Corporation vaccinated 3,943 dogs in Valasaravakkam, 3,985 in Adyar and 4,153 in Sholinganallur.

The special camps combine rabies vaccination with parasite treatment, aiming to protect the public and provide preventive animal healthcare across the city.

Samiran urged residents, pet owners and animal welfare workers to cooperate with the Corporation and join the ongoing camps. He said community involvement is key to achieving a rabies-free Chennai.