Adoption Program, Animal Birth Control, Animal Rescue, Classes, Films, Fund Raising, Health Care, Kindness Club, Monitoring and Enforcing Animal Rights, Publications, Seminars, Social Work, Spreading Awareness, Stray Dog Vaccination, Veterinary Camps

This is the story, told by our president Retd. Prof. C.K. Tankachy, of an injured Kite that she received, and has been taking care of for quite some time now.

It was on 22nd March, 2008 that Tittoo, my little Kite was brought to the office of PfA by two Engineering students. They found him lying on the ground unable to fly. They offered water, but he didn't respond. They thought that he might have gotten an electric shock.

We put him in one of our dog kennels. Gradually he began to eat food that we offered. As the kennel was too small for him, with is large wingspan, we had a large one made, with two cross bars for him to perch on.

We have tried to release him four or five times, but he couldn't fly, and was attacked by a mongoose once.

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).

An Awareness Class was conducted under the auspices of the Kindness Club, in the Meenaksy Vilasom Public School. Students up till the 9th class participated.

Professor Suseela Chellappan talked on "Being Kind to Stray Dogs."

Professor C.K. Thankachy talked on the rules for the maintenance of captive elephants.

They were received well by the students.

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 stray dog that was injured in a road accident in front of Sarada Math was taken to Trivandrum by a PfA member. After treatment, this dog is recovering, staying with a family in Trivandrum.

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.