Dogs

People for Animals, Kollam Chapter had signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to the effect that People for Animals would undertake to organize an ABC (Animal Birth Control) with the Mayyanad Panchayat. The goal of the program was to spay or neuter 200 stray dogs in Mayyanad Panchayat area, a humane way of controlling the dog populations.

On February 24th, 2010, an ABC programme was conducted by PFA at Mayyanad Panchayat. This programme completed half of the MoU. It was a great success.

The veterinary doctors who performed the surgeries were: Dr. Ajith Pillai, Dr, Sajjay Kumar, and Dr. Shivaprasad, all from the Animal Husbandry department.

The excellent and capable dog catchers were brought from IPAN (India Project for Animal and Nature).

PfA Kollam Chapter got reports that stray dogs were being killed in the Kulasekharapuram Panchayat, in Karunagappally. We immediately contacted the secretary of the Panchayat to stop the killing, and were able to ensure that the killings were stopped.

We further informed the secretary of the Animal Welfare Board of India. He sent a notice to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, with copies to the Kollam District Collector, Kollam Superintendant of Police, and the Kollam Ombudsman. We also received a copy of this letter.

The Government in response sent orders to the Kollam Corporation and all panchayats to implement the Animal Birth Control program. PfA Kollam Chapter conducts ABC programmes in various panchayats.

PfA Kollam Chapter got reports that stray dogs were being killed in the Chathannoor Police Station, Kollam District. The Circle Inspector (a fellow animal lover) contacted us, and also faxed a message to the Secretary of the Animal Welfare Board of India.

We followed up by sending notices to the Secretary of Chathannoor Panchayat, the Sub Inspector of Police in Chathannoor, and the secretary of AWBI.

In the end, the Circle Inspector informed us that the AWBI secretary has written to the Kerala Government to stop the killing and implement the ABC programme.

Retd. Prof. C.K. Thankachy, president of PfA Kollam Chapter, was invited to be on Doordarshan Malayalam channel during a phone-in program for one hour. She spoke on "Animal Welfare". This is the second time that Prof. Thankachy has been invited to be on Doordarshan. During the program, a number of people interacted with her from different parts of the country.

A 12 year old German Shepherd was saved from abandonment, when PfA members were able to locate a good home after two months. Mr. Jose adopted the dog.

Three puppies which were rescued during the ABC camp held at Vallikavu were brought to Kollam. These puppies were later adopted by Mr. Rajapandian, Sree Rekha, and Geetha.

PfA Kollam Chapter conducted an Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination programme in Vallikavu, in November and December, 2008.

In all, 17 dogs were sterilised and vaccinated by Dr. Giggin, Dr. Santosh, and Dr. Sajay Kumar (All from Animal Husbandry Department). The dog's ears were notched to serve as identification for the local villagers and for PfA in the future. Post-operative care was also given to the animals, and they were released only after healing.

This program was funded entirely by PfA members.

Space for conducting the surgeries was provided by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, in a vacant Tsunami Shelter in Shrayikkad Village. Thanks are due also to the volunteers from the Math who assisted with the program.

Two members of PfA Kollam, Aseer Manilal and Sujith, now doing research in Bharathidasan University rescued six puppies from the campus. The puppies' mother had died while giving birth.