Thiruvananthapuram: The district-level ABC programme was launched on Monday at six centres - Parassala, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad, Attingal, Elagamon and District Veterinary Centre at PMG. Authorities said the operations were yet to be in full swing and there will be some more infrastructural additions shortly. Twelve dogs in the district underwent sterilisation procedures.
Soon, there will be an ABC centre in each of the 11 block panchayats. More kennels will be brought to each centre. Right now, the District Veterinary Centre has just three kennels. Dr S Rajendran, the district veterinary officer, says, "We decided to start off as we need to work on a war footing. By the time all 11 centres will be functional, we hope to sterilise 600 dogs a month. At the PMG centre alone there will be 12 kennels later."
The animal husbandry department is in the process of hiring more veterinarians, dog catchers and attendants on a contract basis. Veterinary surgeons including retired officials and veterinary doctors trained in ABC procedure are being interviewed. Twenty-four dog catchers have been hired, of whom six are experienced. Eighteen others will undergo training for two months, he said.
