Kodaikanal has shown that humanity and science can go hand in hand in managing stray dogs. Despite being a tourist hub with rising free-roaming dogs, the hill town has recorded zero human rabies deaths in the past seven years, a feat made possible through the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) programmes run by Kodaikanal Society for Protection and Care for Animals (KSPCA) with municipal support. Since 2017, over 500 dogs have been sterilised, and a GPS-based tracking system ensures vaccinations are up to date. Beyond sterilisation, awareness campaigns guide feeders and pet owners, while foster homes provide shelter for puppies. Kodaikanal’s model proves that with community participation and responsible ownership, coexistence with dogs is not just possible, but beneficial.
