Chennai Steps Up Drive to Become Rabies-Free, 1.8 Lakh Stray Dogs to Receive Vaccination and Deworming from June

In a decisive step toward building a rabies-free Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will launch a citywide intensified rabies vaccination and deworming campaign for approximately 1.8 lakh stray dogs beginning in June. The initiative, backed by a budget of ?3 crore, will also offer free rabies vaccinations for pet dogs at GCC-run pet clinics.

Parallel to these efforts, the Corporation is scaling up its Animal Birth Control (ABC) infrastructure. As previously announced, the number of ABC centres will expand from five to fifteen to address the growing stray dog population. Existing centres at Pulianthope, Lloyds Colony, Kannammapet, Sholinganallur, and Meenambakkam currently sterilise over 100 stray dogs each day.

The ten new centres—located in Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, and Perungudi—will add capacity for an additional 300 sterilisation procedures per day.

All sterilisation procedures are conducted in compliance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which require stray dogs to be captured, sterilised, vaccinated against rabies, and released in their original territories. The surgeries are performed by licensed veterinary surgeons, assisted by veterinary aides and dedicated post-operative care staff.

Currently, 16 dog-catching vehicles and 78 trained personnel operate across the city. The on-ground team is supported by 23 veterinary assistants and 4 veterinary doctors to ensure humane, safe, and efficient procedures.

To further streamline dog population management and vaccination tracking, the GCC will roll out a comprehensive microchipping initiative covering two lakh dogs, both stray and pet. The chips will log key details such as the date and location of capture, sterilisation records, vaccinations, deworming, and other medical treatments into a digital registry.

For pet dogs, the portal will also capture ownership details, vaccination history, deworming status, licensing information, and treating veterinarian credentials. This centralised system is expected to improve monitoring, ensure timely vaccination, and enhance accountability in pet ownership.

According to a joint survey conducted by GCC, the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), World Veterinary Service (WVS), and local volunteers, Chennai is home to approximately 1.8 lakh stray dogs. Since 2021, the civic body has sterilised 66,285 stray dogs and vaccinated around 1.1 lakh, which includes 41,917 pet dogs.

In support of the "Rabies-Free Chennai" mission, pet owners are encouraged to obtain an annual license for ?50 through the GCC’s online portal. The license is issued only upon submission of valid rabies vaccination proof. Between 2024 and April 2025, the corporation issued 9,883 such licenses.

Through sustained vaccination, sterilisation, microchipping, and public cooperation, Chennai is laying the groundwork for a safer, more humane coexistence between its citizens and the city’s dog population.