Five-year dog population control plan to be launched in Kataragama

Colombo, Nov. 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population is set to launch a five-year plan to control the dog population within the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, aiming to reduce rabies risks and promote animal welfare.

The initiative is being coordinated by the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Animal Production and Health Department and supported by the Help a Dog with Vets program.

Plan Details:

• Current dog population: ~8,250
• Castration surgeries performed to date: 1,500
• Dogs yet to undergo castration: 6,750
• Targeted castration surgeries over the next five years: 4,500

Annual Castration Targets:

• 2025 – 500
• 2026 – 1,000
• 2027 – 1,000
• 2028 – 1,000
• 2029 – 1,000

The five-year pilot project will begin with a program from Novemember 14 to 23, running daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Officials expressed optimism that this collaborative effort will help control the dog population locally and support the global goal of eliminating rabies by 2029.