Pallavi Sharma
Dharamshala: Dharamsala Animal Rescue (DAR) has proudly joined the nationwide Rabies Action Week (RAW), an initiative by Mission Rabies – Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), to accelerate India’s mission of becoming rabies-free by 2030.
The month-long campaign, launched on September 1 as part of the National Rabies Elimination Drive, has mobilised NGOs, veterinary teams, local governments, and community volunteers across India to combat the deadly but preventable disease.
DAR will kick off its Annual Anti-Rabies Vaccination Camp on September 21, 2025, continuing through October 1, 2025, covering Ward No. 6 to Ward No. 17 of the Municipal Corporation Dharamshala. The drive aims to vaccinate as many dogs as possible while raising awareness among local communities about rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership.
“Rabies continues to claim thousands of lives every year in India, despite being 100% preventable. The key lies in mass dog vaccination and public education,” said Himani Negi, Community Manager at Dharamsala Animal Rescue.
Each dog vaccinated during the campaign will be tracked through the WVS App, which logs vital data including GPS location and vaccination details. This ensures systematic coverage, reliable monitoring, and the generation of robust data on vaccination reach and dog population dynamics.
Rabies Action Week has already united multiple stakeholders nationwide, with thousands of dogs vaccinated and communities engaged through awareness campaigns. Experts believe such collaborative efforts are crucial to meeting India’s commitment under the WHO goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.
“Through this campaign, we not only vaccinate dogs but also educate communities. Awareness is as important as action. Together, we can build a rabies-free Himachal, and contribute to a rabies-free India,” Negi added.
The initiative highlights Dharamsala’s growing role in animal welfare and public health, setting an example for other regions to follow in India’s fight against rabies.
