MARGAO: A month-long animal welfare campaign across four panchayats in South Goa has concluded with the sterilisation of 836 dogs and anti-rabies vaccination of 914 animals. The initiative was jointly organised by Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and Mission Rabies to promote humane dog population management and prevent the spread of rabies.
The campaign commenced on September 28, coinciding with World Rabies Day, and was inaugurated by Velim MLA Cruz Silva. Veterinary teams continued the drive until October 24, covering Assolna, Velim, Chinchinim and Ambelim.
The programme provided free veterinary services to both pet dogs brought in by residents and free-roaming indigenous dogs captured by the campaign team.
Dr Stacy Sequeira, Director of WVS HICKS Goa, said 132 dogs were brought to the facility by residents through pre-booked appointments, while the remaining 704 were captured and transported by the campaign’s dog-catching team.
The initiative also received interest from neighbouring areas, including Cavelossim and Sarzora. Responding to the demand, the organisers extended their dog-catching operations to these locations.
A 25-member team comprising veterinary surgeons, assistants, animal handlers, dog catchers and volunteers coordinated the campaign. The team managed all stages of the operation, including capturing the animals, conducting sterilisation surgeries and supervising their recovery.
Heavy Rain Poses Challenge
The final phase of the campaign was disrupted by adverse weather conditions. After several weeks of high temperatures, heavy rainfall and sudden storms flooded the camp site during the last week.
Despite the challenging conditions, the veterinary team continued its work and completed the programme within the scheduled period, Sequeira said.
Focus on Long-Term Dog Population Management
Sequeira emphasised that controlling the dog population requires sustained, community-level efforts rather than occasional sterilisation drives. While sterilisation helps prevent unwanted breeding, regular anti-rabies vaccination remains critical to controlling the spread of the disease and protecting public health.
By providing both services free of cost, the organisers aimed to ensure that veterinary care remained accessible to residents, particularly those who might face financial difficulties in arranging treatment for their animals.
The campaign also underscored the importance of collaboration among animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and local communities in ensuring humane treatment of dogs, responsible population management and safer neighbourhoods.
