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Dog Population Management Campaign launched in Thimphu

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25 March, Thimphu:

The Dog Population Management campaign in Thimphu was launched today by HE Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Waste Management and Stray Dog Population Control (NWM & SDPC) Flagship Programme.

The DPM program through its Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (CNVR) protocol is aimed towards achieving the following objectives:

  • Improve health and welfare of owned and un-owned dog population
  • Reduce numbers of free-roaming dogs through enhanced animal birth control
  • Promote responsible dog ownership, dog adoption and community animal birth control through community engagement
  • Reduce the risk of dog bites and transmission of zoonotic diseases from dogs to humans
  • Manage feral dogs through interventions focused at human-animal-wildlife interface

The overall goal of this program is : to reduce free-roaming dog population to a manageable level in public places with 95% sterilization coverage; to reverse the ratio of  owned and un-owned dogs from existing 30:70 to 70:30 through adoption; and to achieve 100% registration and sterilization of owned dogs. Further, through this program it is also aimed to achieve zero dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.

The campaign is guided by the three principles of Consultation, Collaboration and Commitment and relies on innovation as well as teamwork with active involvement of local government, animal welfare organizations and relevant stakeholders in its implementation.

As per a survey done in May 2020, Thimphu Thromde and peri-urban areas have a total population of 13000 dogs, out of which about 6000 are free roaming dogs and around 4000 of these dogs are un-sterilized. In view of the high numbers and concerted efforts required, a holistic approach

 through multi-sectorial collaboration is adopted involving relevant stakeholders such as Thimphu Thromde, Animal Welfare Organizations, BTFEC, Desuung volunteers, Thimphu Dzongkhag administration and volunteers to ensure a successful campaign.

The field clinics for the campaign will be in  three strategic locations in North Thimphu, Core town area and South Thimphu to achieve maximum coverage by reaching out to the clients and to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised in transportation. The campaign will kickstart from the Core town area in Chubachu and the subsequent locations for North and South Thimphu will be broadcasted.  The general public is requested take their dogs (pet and community) to the campaign sites in order to get them sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.

Till date, the DPM program was successfully conducted in Haa and Paro with over 93% sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination coverage (3685 dogs sterilized and vaccinated against Rabies) and the program is ongoing in Bumthang.

The Dog Population Management (DPM) program is currently being implemented by the National Centre for Animal Health, Serbithang under the Department of Livestock.