This conference was organised jointly by the Commonwealth Veterinary Association and Veterinary College, Bangalore, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) and supported by Indian Veterinary Association (IVA), Veterinary Council of India (VCI), Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), Association for Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI), Crucell Holland bv Netherlands and Dogs Trust International.

The Conference was inaugurated on Monday 28th January 2013 by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Narayan Mohanty, President, Veterinary Council of India (VCI). Dr. C. Renukaprasad, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R.M. Kharb AVSM, Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India, Min. of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, Dr. Dharmendra Sinha, Secretary General, Indian Veterinary Association and Director, Institute of Animal Health & Production, Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Bihar and Dr. V. Chandrashekar Murthy, President, Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC), were the Chief Guests at the Conference.

Dr. S. Abdul Rahman, President, Commonwealth Veterinary Association presided over the function. Dr. A. Sivasothy, Regional Representative, CVA Asian Region, Dr. T. Sreenivas Reddy, President, Karnataka Veterinary Association, Dr. S. Yathiraj, Dean, Bangalore Veterinary College, Dr. H.M. Jayaprakasha, Registrar, KVAFSU, Bidar were also on the Conference Dias.

Over 200 delegates from India and abroad attended the conference. The countries represented were Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom and USA in addition to delegates from India.

The CVA-Crucell-KVAFSU Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory which is the state-of-the-art laboratory built at a cost of US$ 200,000 with financial support from Crucell Holland bv Netherlands was inaugurated by Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of KVAFSU Dr. C. Renukaprasad, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar (KVAFSU) in the presence of Dr. S. Abdul Rahman, President, CVA, Mr. Arvind R. Jannu, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. H.R.V. Reddy, Director of Research, KVAFSU, Dr. S. Yathiraj, Dean, Bangalore Veterinary College and Dr. Nagesh Board Member (KVAFSU). Dr. H.M. Jayaprakasha, Registrar (KVAFSU) presided over the function.

This Laboratory has all facilities for early diagnosis of Rabies in canines and is the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent.

The delegates attending the conference were taken around the laboratory and explained the proposed activities which would be undertaken.