Kochi Corporation Boosts ABC Unit with Six Trained Dog Catchers

Quick Summary

• The kochi Corporation aims to improve its Animal Birth Control (ABC) unit at Brahmapuram with support from Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS).
• WVS will provide six trained dog catchers under its ‘mission Rabies’ campaign by next month; the corporation will bear their expenses.
• Currently, the ABC unit has five dog catchers who also serve as animal handlers, but recruiting additional staff remains difficult due to low job appeal.
• Monthly salary for existing dog catchers is ₹21,000, along with benefits such as Provident Fund and ESI.
• A vaccination drive for 10,000 stray dogs within city limits will commence next month in collaboration with WVS under ‘Mission Rabies.’
• Kochi Refinery-BPCL is funding two new vehicles for the ABC unit and sponsoring an expanded kennel facility to accommodate 40 more dogs.
• Improved operations at the ABC unit now enable sterilisation of 8-12 dogs daily; female sterilisation is prioritized to curb population growth.
• Awareness classes about handling stray dogs have begun in schools and colleges targeting vulnerable student groups.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Managing stray populations effectively is a critical public health concern. The Kochi Corporation’s partnership with WVS represents a positive step toward addressing this issue through professional expertise and logistical upgrades. The introduction of trained personnel and resources such as additional vehicles and expanded kennel facilities indicates strategic planning aimed at scalability. Though, challenges like recruitment difficulties highlight systemic issues in attracting workforce participation for physically demanding yet undervalued roles.

The proactive vaccination campaign under ‘mission rabies’ aligns well with broader goals of disease prevention among strays but requires sustained effort beyond initial stages. Awareness initiatives in educational institutions are commendable as they target long-term behavioral change in interacting safely with strays.

This collaborative model between local bodies like Kochi Corporation and NGOs such as WVS serves as an example that could perhaps be scaled across India to mitigate urban stray-related challenges effectively while ensuring humane care practices.

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