Project Proposal

Project Proposal

Project Title

Rabies Vaccination & Spay/Neuter Campaign in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India

1. Executive Summary

Rabies remains a significant public health concern in India, causing thousands of preventable deaths annually, primarily through dog bites. Uncontrolled breeding of free-roaming dogs contributes to the growing population of unvaccinated animals, increasing the risk of rabies transmission to humans and livestock.

The proposed Rabies Vaccination & Spay/Neuter Campaign seeks to address this challenge in all Taluks of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, through a comprehensive animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) initiative. The project will vaccinate and sterilize free-roaming and community dogs, promote responsible pet ownership, and conduct awareness campaigns among local communities.

Over a period of 12 months, the project aims to vaccinate 5,000 dogs, sterilize 1,500 dogs, and educate approximately 20,000 community members regarding rabies prevention, animal welfare, and humane dog population management.

The project will contribute to improved public health, reduced rabies incidence, enhanced animal welfare, and safer communities.

Grant Requested: USD 75,000

2. Organizational Background

Community Organisation For Social Transformation Trust (COST TRUST) is a registered non-profit organization working towards sustainable community development, public health, environmental conservation, and social welfare in Tamil Nadu. The organization has extensive experience in implementing community-based programs and collaborating with local governments, health departments, educational institutions, and grassroots organizations.

COST TRUST believes that human well-being, animal welfare, and environmental health are closely interconnected. This proposal adopts a One Health approach by addressing rabies control and animal population management in partnership with local stakeholders.

3. Problem Statement

Kanyakumari District has witnessed a growing population of free-roaming dogs in both rural and peri-urban areas. Thiruvattar and Vilavancode Taluks contain numerous villages and town panchayats where:

• Dog populations continue to increase due to uncontrolled breeding.

• Rabies vaccination coverage remains inadequate.

• Dog bite incidents are frequently reported.

• Public awareness regarding rabies prevention is limited.

• Municipal and veterinary resources are insufficient to manage the issue effectively.

Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms develop, yet it is entirely preventable through mass dog vaccination and timely post-exposure treatment. The World Health Organization recognizes mass dog vaccination and animal birth control as the most effective strategies for eliminating dog-mediated rabies.

Without intervention, dog populations will continue to expand, increasing risks to public health and animal welfare.

4. Project Goal

To reduce the incidence of rabies and human-dog conflicts while improving animal welfare through mass rabies vaccination, sterilization, and community awareness programs in Thiruvattar and Vilavancode Taluks.

5. Project Objectives

Objective 1

Vaccinate at least 5,000 free-roaming and owned dogs against rabies within one year.

Objective 2

Sterilize 1,500 dogs through humane spay/neuter surgeries.

Objective 3

Increase community awareness on rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership among 20,000 residents.

Objective 4

Build collaboration among local governments, veterinary departments, animal welfare organizations, schools, and communities.

6. Target Beneficiaries

Direct Beneficiaries

• 5,000 dogs receiving rabies vaccinations.

• 1,500 dogs undergoing sterilization.

• Dog owners and caregivers.

Indirect Beneficiaries

• Approximately 150,000 residents of Thiruvattar and Vilavancode Taluks.

• School children.

• Farmers and livestock owners.

• Local government institutions.

• Public health systems.

7. Project Activities

Activity 1: Baseline Assessment

• Dog population survey.

• Mapping of village hotspots.

• Identification of high-risk rabies areas.

• Stakeholder consultations.

Activity 2: Mass Rabies Vaccination Campaign

• Mobile veterinary teams deployed.

• Vaccination camps organized in villages.

• Door-to-door vaccination support.

• Dog marking and registration.

Activity 3: Spay/Neuter (Animal Birth Control) Programme

• Humane capture of free-roaming dogs.

• Veterinary examination.

• Sterilization surgeries.

• Post-operative care and release.

Activity 4: Community Awareness and Education

• Village awareness meetings.

• School-based educational sessions.

• Distribution of brochures and posters.

• Social media campaigns.

Activity 5: Capacity Building

• Training volunteers.

• Orientation of local leaders.

• Training community dog caregivers.

Activity 6: Monitoring and Evaluation

• Vaccination monitoring.

• Sterilization records.

• Dog population tracking.

• Community feedback collection.

8. Implementation Plan

Phase

Activities

Duration

Phase 1

Baseline Survey & Planning

Month 1

Phase 2

Vaccination Campaign Launch

Months 2-12

Phase 3

Sterilization Operations

Months 2-12

Phase 4

Awareness Programs

Months 2-12

Phase 5

Monitoring & Evaluation

Ongoing

Phase 6

Final Evaluation & Reporting

Month 12

 

9. Expected Outcomes

Short-Term Outcomes

• 5,000 dogs vaccinated.

• 1,500 dogs sterilized.

• Increased public awareness about rabies prevention.

• Improved community participation.

Medium-Term Outcomes

• Reduction in dog bite incidents.

• Stable or declining dog population growth.

• Increased vaccination coverage.

Long-Term Outcomes

• Reduced rabies transmission risk.

• Improved public health and safety.

• Sustainable humane dog population management.

• Enhanced animal welfare standards.

10. Monitoring Indicators

Indicator

Target

Dogs Vaccinated                        5,000

Dogs Sterilized                           1,500

Awareness Events Conducted      100

School Sessions Conducted            50

Community Members Reached  20,000

Volunteers Trained                         100

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11. Sustainability Plan

The project will ensure sustainability through:

• Formation of Community Animal Welfare Committees.

• Collaboration with Panchayats and Municipal Authorities.

• Training local volunteers as Rabies Prevention Ambassadors.

• Establishing annual vaccination drives.

• Strengthening linkages with veterinary hospitals and animal welfare groups.

• Maintaining a dog registration and tracking database.

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12. Risk Management

Risk

Mitigation Strategy

Community resistance

Awareness and stakeholder engagement

Difficulty capturing dogs

Trained animal handlers

Adverse weather conditions

Flexible schedules

Vaccine supply delays

Advance procurement

Limited participation

Partnerships with local institutions

 

13. Conclusion

The Rabies Vaccination & Spay/Neuter Campaign in Tamil Nadu presents a practical, humane, and sustainable solution to rabies prevention and free-roaming dog population management. Through vaccination, sterilization, community education, and stakeholder collaboration, the project will significantly improve animal welfare while protecting public health.

COST TRUST respectfully requests the support of the Donor agencies to implement this life-saving initiative and create safer, healthier communities across Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.