Coimbatore: The city corporation on Tuesday inaugurated 50 kennels for stray dogs at the animal birth control (ABC) centre at Vellalore dump yard. Built at a cost of Rs4.13 crore, the facility would strengthen the city’s capacity to manage stray dog population in a more organized manner.An additional operation theatre at the centre and four dog transportation vehicles were also inaugurated on the day. With this, ABC centre at Vellaore now has five operation theatres. The kennels are expected to support the ongoing animal birth control efforts by providing space for housing stray dogs, post-operative care, quarantine and recovery of dogs after sterilization and vaccination. According to a corporation official, the kennels are constructed on more than an acre, with each kennel capable of accommodating 10 dogs at a time. “In addition to the existing four operation theatres, the centre has got an additional one today. Each operation centre could handle at least 10 surgeries a day. The additional operation of theatre will help increase the number of sterilizations being carried out per day. Stray dogs from the south and north zones will be brought to this centre for the ABC programme.” The corporation has three animal birth control centres – one at Seernaickenpalayam to handle stray dogs from the west zone, another at Ukkadam Pullukadu to handle stray dogs from the central zone and yet another at Ondipudur for dogs from the east zone. “Another animal birth control centre is under construction at Vellakinar. Once ready, it will be used to handle dogs from the north zone. Until then, dogs from the zone will be sterilized at Vellalore,” the official said. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce dog bites and rabies risk through systematic sterilization and immunization drive. The corporation is also expected to coordinate with veterinarians, animal welfare groups and field staff to ensure proper maintenance of kennels and care for stray dogs housed there.
