Chennai Corporation targets 2 lakh stray dogs in anti-rabies drive this August
Synopsis
The Greater Chennai Corporation is targeting 2 lakh stray dogs in an August anti-rabies vaccination drive — up from 1.47 lakh last year — while simultaneously scaling its ABC sterilisation capacity from 200 to 400 surgeries a day. With 24,000 procedures already done since January and monthly figures hitting a record 5,324 in July, Chennai is mounting its most aggressive stray dog management push in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will launch a citywide anti-rabies vaccination drive in the second week of August , targeting 2 lakh stray dogs .
Free anti-rabies and anti-parasite vaccines will also be available for pet dogs during the campaign.
GCC vaccinated 1.47 lakh stray dogs last year when the population was estimated at 1.80 lakh ; the target has been raised in line with population growth.
Of 15 ABC centres , 11 are operational ; remaining centres at Nandambakkam, Perungudi, Athipattu, and Sholinganallur are set to open by late August .
Daily sterilisation capacity is expected to rise from 200 to 400 surgeries per day once all centres are functional.
Monthly ABC surgeries hit a record 5,324 in July , up from 1,490 in January , with nearly 24,000 procedures performed since the start of the year.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to launch a citywide anti-rabies vaccination drive in the second week of August, targeting approximately 2 lakh stray dogs across all zones of the city. The campaign also extends free anti-rabies and anti-parasite vaccines to pet dogs, with the GCC urging owners, local animal feeders, and rescuers to actively participate.
Why the Target Has Been Raised
Last year, the GCC vaccinated around 1.47 lakh stray dogs when the city's stray dog population was estimated at roughly 1.80 lakh. Officials believe the population has grown since, prompting the corporation to revise its vaccination target upward to 2 lakh dogs for this year's campaign. The drive is part of broader efforts to curb rabies transmission and improve animal welfare across Chennai.
Animal Birth Control Infrastructure Being Scaled Up
The vaccination push runs parallel to a significant expansion of the GCC's Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. Of the 15 ABC centres in Chennai, 11 are currently operational. Two additional centres at Nandambakkam and Perungudi are expected to become functional next week, while the remaining facilities at Athipattu in Ambattur and Sholinganallur are scheduled to open by the fourth week of August.
Once all 15 centres are running, the GCC expects daily sterilisation capacity to nearly double — from the current 200 ABC surgeries per day to approximately 400 surgeries per day.
Sterilisation Numbers Show Steady Monthly Growth
Since January 2025, the GCC has conducted close to 24,000 birth control surgeries on stray dogs, with monthly figures rising consistently. Procedures climbed from 1,490 in January to 2,493 in February and 3,058 in March. The numbers continued upward — 3,259 in April, 3,637 in May, and 4,765 in June — before reaching a monthly high of 5,324 surgeries in July, the highest recorded so far this year.
Animal Welfare Concerns and GCC's Response
The campaign has not been without controversy. Animal welfare activists have raised concerns over the handling of stray dogs during capture and vaccination operations, the maintenance of required cold-chain conditions for vaccines, and the safe return of vaccinated animals to their home territories. The GCC has rejected allegations of improper vaccine handling, asserting that vaccination vials are stored and transported with the necessary safeguards in place.
What Comes Next
With all 15 ABC centres expected to be operational by late August, the GCC's combined sterilisation and vaccination effort represents one of the most ambitious stray dog management pushes in Chennai's recent history. The corporation's ability to address both activist concerns and logistical challenges will be closely watched as the campaign rolls out across the city's zones.
Point of View
But the harder metric to watch is coverage completeness — vaccinating a dog once does not confer herd immunity if a significant portion of the population remains unreached. The GCC's own data shows the city's stray population grew faster than last year's vaccination programme could handle, which raises questions about whether a single annual drive is structurally sufficient. The cold-chain concern flagged by activists is not trivial: a vaccine administered outside the required temperature range offers no protection and creates a false sense of security. The real test of this campaign will not be the headline number of dogs vaccinated, but whether the GCC can demonstrate verified cold-chain compliance and safe animal handling throughout — not just in its public rebuttals.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chennai Corporation's anti-rabies vaccination drive in August 2025?
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is launching a citywide campaign in the second week of August to vaccinate approximately 2 lakh stray dogs against rabies. The drive also offers free anti-rabies and anti-parasite vaccines to pet dogs across all zones of Chennai.
Why has the GCC raised its stray dog vaccination target to 2 lakh this year?
The GCC vaccinated around 1.47 lakh stray dogs in 2024, when the city's stray population was estimated at 1.80 lakh. Officials believe the population has increased since then, prompting the corporation to set a higher target of 2 lakh dogs for the 2025 campaign.
How many Animal Birth Control centres does Chennai have and when will all be operational?
Chennai has 15 ABC centres in total, of which 11 are currently operational. Centres at Nandambakkam and Perungudi are expected to open next week, while those at Athipattu (Ambattur) and Sholinganallur are scheduled to become functional by the fourth week of August 2025.
What concerns have animal welfare activists raised about the vaccination drive?
Activists have flagged concerns over the handling of stray dogs during capture, the maintenance of cold-chain conditions for vaccines, and ensuring vaccinated animals are safely returned to their territories. The GCC has denied allegations of improper vaccine handling, stating that all necessary storage and transport safeguards are in place.
How many sterilisation surgeries has the GCC performed on stray dogs in 2025?
The GCC has conducted nearly 24,000 ABC surgeries on stray dogs since January 2025. Monthly figures have risen steadily, from 1,490 in January to a record 5,324 in July. Once all 15 centres are operational, daily capacity is expected to rise from 200 to around 400 surgeries per day.
