A month-long vaccination campaign targeting stray dogs and cats has been launched in Patuakhali town on Thursday to prevent the spread of rabies.
The initiative is a joint effort by the Patuakhali Municipality and the District Livestock Department.
The programme was officially inaugurated on the Four-Line Road in the Jhaubon area by Jewel Rana, Deputy Director of the Local Government Division and Administrator of Patuakhali Municipality.
Also present at the event were Masum Billah, Secretary of Patuakhali Municipality, Dr S.M. Ekramul Nahid, Municipal Medical Officer, and various municipal staff. Representatives from the voluntary group Animal Lovers of Patuakhali also joined the launch, including President Nowshin Afroze Hia, Asadullah Hasan Musa, Head of the Rescue & Release Wing, wildlife rescuer Abdul Kaiyum, and local team leaders from Golachipa, Kalapara, and Dumki.
As part of the campaign, stray dogs across key areas of the town – including New Market, Old Market, Bus Stand, Sadar Road, Jhaubon, Launch Ghat, Sabujbagh, and Titash Mor – are being vaccinated daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
The goal is to vaccinate over 1,000 stray dogs throughout the municipality during the month.
To avoid repeat vaccinations, each dog is marked with red dye after being vaccinated. Officials said this effort will protect both stray and domestic animals from rabies while enhancing public safety.
Municipal Administrator Jewel Rana stated that the programme aligns with government directives and, with support from Animal Lovers of Patuakhali, aims to ensure a safer and more humane urban environment.
Animal welfare advocates praised the initiative as a timely and significant step forward for animal care in the town.
