BMC Launches Mass Rabies Vaccination Drive For Stray Dogs Across Mumbai

Campaign aims to create a rabies-free city with support from citizens and animal welfare groups

In a major public health initiative, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a mass rabies vaccination drive for stray dogs in Mumbai and its suburbs. The campaign, which runs from September 1, 2025, to March 15, 2026, is being carried out in collaboration with several prominent animal welfare organizations.

The civic administration has appealed to Mumbai residents, housing societies, and animal feeders to extend their cooperation by facilitating access for vaccination teams and helping identify stray dogs in their neighborhoods.

A push for a rabies-free Mumbai

The campaign is part of BMC’s broader initiative, “Rabies-Mukt Mumbai” (Rabies-Free Mumbai), aimed at reducing human fatalities caused by rabies and improving community safety. The drive has been launched under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, with oversight from Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi and Deputy Commissioner (Special) Chanda Jadhav.

According to Dr. Kaleempasha Pathan, Head of the Veterinary Health Department, the civic body is working in partnership with Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals, Utkarsh Global Foundation, and Universal Animal Welfare Society. Their joint effort seeks to ensure widespread coverage of stray dog vaccination across Mumbai.

Why this matters

Rabies, a fatal yet preventable disease, continues to claim thousands of lives annually in India, with dog bites being the primary cause of transmission. By vaccinating strays, the BMC hopes to drastically reduce human deaths caused by rabies, while also promoting animal welfare and safer coexistence in urban communities.

Animal feeders, residents’ associations, and volunteers have been urged to allow vaccination teams into their premises and provide information about local stray populations. “Public participation is crucial to ensure the success of this campaign,” BMC officials emphasized.

Looking ahead

If successful, the campaign could serve as a model for other metropolitan cities struggling with similar public health and stray dog management challenges. BMC has assured that the drive will be conducted systematically, with follow-up monitoring to evaluate progress.

As Mumbai moves toward its vision of becoming a rabies-free city, the cooperation of citizens will play a pivotal role in protecting both humans and animals from this deadly but preventable disease.