SRINAGAR: A three-day awareness and sensitisation programme on stray animals, rabies prevention and Animal Birth Control (ABC) concluded in Srinagar on Wednesday, with students and teachers from 14 schools participating in interactive sessions.
The programme was organised by the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the School Education Department, PETA India and SAVE, in pursuance of directions of the Supreme Court of India and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for controlling the stray dog population through humane, scientific and sustainable measures.
Held from September 7 to 9, the programme focused on rabies prevention and vaccination, precautions following dog bites, peaceful coexistence with community animals, animal cruelty laws, responsible pet ownership, sterilisation and the ABC Programme.
The sessions emphasised that effective management of the stray dog population requires a combination of scientific Animal Birth Control, anti-rabies vaccination, responsible pet ownership, proper waste management, public awareness and humane treatment of animals.
Students were also sensitised about empathy towards animals and responsible behaviour around community dogs. They were educated on precautions following dog bites, along with the importance of timely medical intervention and anti-rabies vaccination.
The programme highlighted that humane management of stray dogs is not merely an animal welfare issue but is also linked to public health and community safety. Students were encouraged to act as ambassadors of responsible animal care and spread awareness among their families and communities.
Following the Srinagar programme, a similar three-day awareness and sensitisation programme will be held in Jammu from September 10 to 12, 2026, in collaboration with concerned stakeholders.
The H&UDD said such initiatives would continue regularly in the future, covering more schools and educational institutions across Jammu & Kashmir. The broader objective is to promote sustained awareness about rabies prevention, responsible animal care, animal welfare and the scientific and humane management of the stray dog population.
The initiative seeks to nurture a generation of informed, empathetic and responsible citizens capable of contributing to humane control of the stray dog population while promoting safer and harmonious coexistence between people and animals.
