The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has launched a city-wide anti-rabies vaccination drive for stray dogs to help curb the spread of rabies and reduce the risk of infection among residents. The civic body aims to vaccinate approximately 60,000 stray dogs under the campaign.
The vaccination drive was formally inaugurated at Birla College in Kalyan, marking the beginning of a phased program that will eventually cover all wards across the KDMC area.
In the first phase, the municipal administration has set a target of vaccinating 20,000 stray dogs. Dedicated vaccination teams have been deployed across different localities to identify stray dogs, administer anti-rabies vaccines and maintain records of the animals vaccinated.
The campaign will be expanded gradually to other parts of Kalyan-Dombivli, with teams visiting residential areas, public spaces and locations where large numbers of stray dogs are found.
KDMC officials have appealed to residents and animal lovers to cooperate with the vaccination teams. Citizens who regularly care for stray dogs are helping officials identify animals and facilitate their vaccination.
Local residents and dog lovers can play an important role because they are often familiar with the stray dogs in their neighborhoods. Their assistance can help vaccination teams locate animals that may otherwise be difficult to identify or approach.
KDMC Mayor Harshali Chaudhary has also appealed to citizens and animal lovers to actively support the campaign and cooperate with the municipal administration.
Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease that can spread to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Vaccinating stray dogs is considered an important measure for controlling rabies transmission and reducing the risk to humans.
The KDMC administration has emphasized that regular and systematic vaccination is essential for effective rabies prevention. Instead of treating the initiative as a one-time exercise, the civic body plans to implement the campaign in phases to achieve wider and more comprehensive coverage.
The broader campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 60,000 stray dogs across the municipal area. The first phase, covering 20,000 animals, is expected to establish the foundation for subsequent phases.
The vaccination teams will continue identifying and vaccinating stray dogs area by area, with the program eventually extending across all KDMC wards.
The civic administration believes that systematic vaccination, consistent follow-up and active public participation can significantly strengthen efforts to prevent rabies transmission.
With the first phase already underway at Birla College, the campaign is expected to expand to other parts of Kalyan-Dombivli in the coming phases. Residents have been urged to cooperate with vaccination teams and help ensure that stray dogs in their respective localities are included in the drive.