JAMMU: A three-day awareness and sensitisation programme aimed at promoting the humane and scientific management of community dogs and enhancing awareness about animal welfare and public safety began in Jammu on Thursday.
The initiative has been launched by the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the School Education Department under the supervision of the Director, School Education, along with PETA India and SAVE NGO. The programme, being held from September 10 to 12, is being organised in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court of India and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The programme focuses on educating school students and teachers about rabies prevention, anti-rabies vaccination, precautions following dog bites, animal welfare laws, sterilisation and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme. It also seeks to promote peaceful coexistence with community animals and encourage compassionate and informed interaction with stray dogs.
More than 2,000 students from 47 schools across Jammu are expected to participate in the three-day programme. Meenakshi Narang, Manager–Elementary School, PETA India, is serving as a resource person and conducting interactive awareness sessions with students on safe interaction with community dogs, empathy towards animals and measures to reduce instances of dog bites.
Special emphasis is being placed on rabies prevention and timely medical intervention. Students are being sensitised about precautions to be taken after a dog bite or scratch, the importance of immediately seeking medical attention and completing the recommended anti-rabies vaccination course.
The programme also highlights scientific Animal Birth Control and anti-rabies vaccination as key components of humane and effective community dog population management. Proper waste disposal and public awareness are being emphasised as important measures to reduce human-animal conflict and promote safer communities.
On the first day, awareness sessions were conducted at Heritage School and Government Higher Secondary School, Sarwal, Jammu, with enthusiastic participation from students and teachers. The sessions provided students an opportunity to learn about animal welfare, safe practices and humane approaches towards community animals.
The programme aims to empower students as ambassadors of animal welfare and public safety, enabling them to carry the message of compassion and safe coexistence to their families and communities. The initiative is expected to strengthen public awareness and encourage a humane, scientific and responsible approach to community dog management across Jammu and Kashmir.
