Goa to be made rabies-free

Mumbai: The Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta, has signed a MoU with the Sankhali Municipal Council in Goa aimed at making the state rabies-free.

This initiative will be realized through AAF’s flagship animal welfare project, The Animal Care Organization (TACO), which will establish a state-of-the-art animal welfare centre in Bicholim taluka.

This centre will be situated on two acres of land provided by the Sankhali Municipal Council and is a significant step toward eradicating rabies and enhancing animal welfare services throughout the region.

The project will be rolled out in phases, starting with an Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre that will offer spaying and neutering services for stray dogs and cats, alongside essential anti-rabies vaccination drives, according to a press statement issued here.

As per the 20th livestock census, there was a 70.68 per cent rise in stray dogs to 27,864 in Goa, as compared to the previous census. Stray dogs often post public health risks by spreading diseases like rabies and causing injuries.

Attacks on humans, particularly children and the elderly have been reported. By effectively managing the stray animal population, TACO aims to complement the state’s efforts to achieve a rabies-free Goa.

The ABC centre by TACO will feature dedicated pre-operative and post-operative care areas, ensuring safe procedures and comprehensive recovery for animals. Following this, the centre will expand to include a fully equipped veterinary hospital with an Out Patient Department (OPD), Operating Theatres (OT), and advanced diagnostic services, ensuring that animals receive the best possible medical care