A dog being vaccinated outside PMC headquarters on Monday
Pune: PMC marked World Rabies Day on Sept 28 by launching a citywide vaccination and awareness campaign under the 2026 global theme ‘Stronger Together’. PMC vaccinated 1,136 dogs under the drive on Monday. For rapid response, five relief vehicles have been made available and each of the 15 regional offices has been assigned one vehicle along with adequate rabies vaccination kits. As per PMC records, in the past three years, 43 rabies deaths have been reported at Dr Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital, of which only one was reported to be a citizen living within PMC limits. In 2023, 21 deaths were reported, with 12 in 2024, and 10 in 2025. As per current demand, 116 feeding points are required in PMC region, officials claimed, although these numbers have been contested by animal welfare volunteers working in the field.
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Civic chief veterinary officer Dr Sarika Funde told TOI : “Vets and vaccine providers have been deployed across wards to administer anti-rabies shots to dogs, including strays, while two digital awareness vehicles circulating information on the disease and steps to take after a dog bite have also been deployed to spread awareness. “The motto is to reduce conflict between dogs and humans and ensure timely vaccination and care,” said Funde, adding that the campaign also focuses on educating all employees and officers in PMC buildings about rabies risks and protocols. The drive aims to vaccinate all dogs in the city against rabies, strengthen response capacity and educate citizens on prevention and post-bite care. Funde added that the rabies campaign is being implemented under the supervision of civic officials and Universal Animal Welfare Society, with technical and field support from World Veterinary Services. The rest were referred to the hospital from outside PMC limits. To streamline relief and welfare measures alongside protecting both dogs and humans, a committee has been constituted to take decisions on allocating feeding points for stray dogs to avoid conflict. With vaccination of field staff already underway, PMC is pushing for wider coverage in the coming weeks. Officials stressed that sustained vaccination, coupled with public awareness, remains the most effective tool to eliminate rabies transmission from dogs to humans. Citizens are urged to report stray dog clusters, ensure pets are vaccinated and immediately seek medical attention after any bite or scratch, while avoiding panic or harassment of animals. Download the TOI App.