The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched an extensive sterilization and rabies vaccination campaign across all 32 wards to humanely manage its growing stray dog population and prevent rabies outbreaks.
Speaking to PgGinger, Dr. Puja Khanal, Veterinary Doctor at KMC’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, said the drive aims to sterilize 4,000 community dogs in the first phase. “We have a large number of street dogs in Kathmandu, and it is causing disturbance to the public in everyday life,” she said. “This campaign is the best way to balance the ecosystem of the city.”
The programme began after KMC signed agreements on October 30 with five animal welfare organizations, each assigned specific wards for implementation. “We have partnered with five organizations, and each team includes a veterinary doctor, veterinary technician, dog caretaker, and support staff,” Dr. Khanal explained. “The work has already started, and we are monitoring progress from all wards.”
She stressed that the process is being conducted with strict attention to animal welfare. “Dogs are only captured and operated on in the presence of ward representatives and the people who feed them regularly,” she said. “Without their presence, the dogs are not handled. This ensures that the animals are treated gently during capture, surgery, and recovery.”
Local citizens have also been urged to take part. “Residents can help by identifying areas where dog populations are high and by providing proper food and care to dogs after surgery,” Dr. Khanal said. “Their cooperation is very important if we want to make Kathmandu a safer and rabies-free city.”
Rabies remains one of the major public-health risks in Nepal. According to Dr. Khanal, controlling the disease through sustained vaccination is central to the city’s long-term plan. “After this initiative, dog population control and rabies control will both move forward smoothly so that communities can remain safe,” she said.
The campaign has received public support, though not without minor challenges. “Some people who feed dogs regularly worry when the animals are taken for surgery and want to know what has happened to them,” she noted. “That misunderstanding is the only challenge so far.”
Dr. Khanal, who has worked with the metropolitan city for five years, said the goal is simple: “We want to see a healthy balance between humans and animals, where dogs are vaccinated, safe, and no longer seen as a threat.”
