KAWB & World Rabies Day Campaign 2025

World Rabies Day 2025

The KAWB must take a strong stance whether it is active ARV drives or rabies prevention awareness programs to address this critical issue under their department. Hence this letter was sent to the Member Secretary of KAWB in advance of World Rabies Day 28 Sept 2025

22 Sept 2025

Dr. Srinivas

Director,Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS), Karnataka

& Member Secretary,Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB)Pashupalana Bhavan, Hebbal

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Via email: dirahvs@gmail.com

Subject: Proposal for a Statewide, Sustained Rabies Prevention Program and Collaborative Activities for World Rabies Day 2025

Dear  Dr. Srinivas,

Ahead of World Rabies Day on September 28, we at CJ Memorial Trust, extend our warm greetings and write to you with a proactive  plan for enhancing rabies control efforts across Karnataka. Thank you for sparing your time today to discuss this important subject.

While the activities around World Rabies Day provide a crucial annual focus, we believe a more sustained, systematic approach is essential to effectively combat this fatal zoonotic disease. We commend the ongoing work of the AHVS and the KAWB and wish to offer our full collaboration in making rabies prevention a continuous priority. Saving lives under One Health imperative is critical.

In this regard, we respectfully propose the following actionable measures for a "Rabies Prevention Month" campaign, leading up to and extending beyond September 28:

1. Statewide Free Rabies Vaccination Drive with Advance Publicity:We suggest that well-publicised free anti-rabies vaccination camps be organized at all AHVS facilities—including AHVS veterinary hospitals, polyclinics, and university campuses—across all districts of Karnataka. Since BBMP/GBA coverage is good in Bangalore, the state can be given some attention. Sufficient advance notice through local newspapers, social media, and community announcements will ensure maximum participation from pet owners and caregivers. It would be good to work with experts like Dr Isloor and Mission Rabies , NAPRE etc and even organise. A seminar or zoom call on the same. Tentative Zoom panel poster is enclosed.

2. Designation of Accessible Vaccination Points:To increase accessibility, we propose identifying 10-20 high-footfall locations across major cities (e.g., large educational institutions, software parks, public parks, and community halls). A published list of these fixed locations and their schedules would allow caregivers to easily bring community and pet dogs for vaccination. Please also share your locations of vet clinics and hospitals with concerned vets across the state.

3. Inclusive Focus on Outlying Areas:Special emphasis should be placed on peripheral and rural areas such as Devanahalli, Yelhanka, Hoskote, etc. We encourage instructing and supporting AHVS officers in these regions to actively organize camps and facilitate the vaccination of street and community dogs.

4. Data Collection and Transparency:To measure the impact and foster accountability, we recommend maintaining a simple matrix documenting the number of dogs vaccinated at each centre and camp during the campaign period. This data would be immensely valuable for assessing reach and planning future initiatives, serving as a positive metric of the state's anti-rabies focus.

Our organization, CJMT , is fully committed as always to supporting this initiative. We are happy to help with volunteer mobilization, community awareness drives, and dissemination of the campaign details through our networks.

We would be grateful if the details of the designated rabies vaccination locations and the special camp sites could be shared with us at the earliest opportunity to facilitate coordinated awareness.

Rabies is a significant public health concern, and a collaborative, forward-looking system is key to increasing vaccination coverage. Messages and videos from your team can ne shared on social media to emphasise your concern and focus. We are confident that under your leadership, a concerted effort by the AHVS and KAWB will lead to a substantial and lasting impact.

We look forward to your positive response and the opportunity to work together for this critical cause.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Trustee

CC: Dr. Shyamla Iqbal , Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry , Veterinary Sciences & Fisheries

CC: All concerned

CC: Media

KAWB Rabies Day 2025 Dr Srinivasan.docx

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