Nearly 70,000 dogs spayed/neutered--and other news!
By Eileen Weintraub, Visakha SPCA global outreach
Dear Friends,
Expanding the reach of our animal birth control program, improving our shelter's resistance to natural disasters and battling unkindness to cats are among our current challenges at VSPCA.
Almost 70,000 dogs already spayed/neutered!
Since 1996 we have provided spay/neuter/vaccination services for almost 70,000 dogs in our area of Greater Visakha, on the east coast of India. But just 30 kilometers (18 miles) to the north of us (and throughout much of India), it's an entirely different story. In the town of Bhimli, there are no such services. There, the preferred method of dog population control is to kill the animals, and cruelly. We are therefore extremely heartened to report that we are going to extend our canine birth control program to Bhimli.
A horse named Vanessa
For two years now, we have operated a medical camp every two weeks for horses, which are relatively new to our area. The camp provides vaccinations, extra feed when needed, and counseling to owners about proper shelter and care for these often-abused horses who are used to provide "rides" to the public on the beach road.
In one of our camps we were fortunate to rescue "Vanessa" from starving on the streets, and he (he is a male horse, despite his name) is now with us at the shelter. He was rescued from BHPV (Bharat Heavy Plates and Vessels Company), about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from our shelter.
During one of our regular horse medical camps we found this "new" horse standing alone in the hot sun and rubbish. On inquiry, the "owner" told us he could be purchased for Rs.30,000 ($600). They gave no reason for his poor condition, but it was clear that lack of food was the problem, so we started feeding him. Then we decided to seize this horse, which we have the legal authority to do, to give him residence at our shelter, so they hid the horse for many days.
After an extensive search, we found Vanessa. Pradeep was called by a good friend at 3:30 pm, and our rescue team was there by 4:30 pm with our cattle rescue vehicle. He was a victim of mistreatment. Vanessa (named by the kind person who helped him) is a survivor.
He is now with us in our care, with the best medical attention. We are hoping he will recover very fast. He will stay with us now, part of our great family.
This is the fourth case of abused horses coming in to our shelter, and we are running out of room for new horses who need rehabilitation.
On the trail of Parrot Poachers
The abusive exploitation of parrots by "fortune-tellers" is a problem here, where they are captured as babies from the wild, kept in tiny boxes all day long without proper food or water (except when they are let out to "work") with their wings badly clipped. Please read our Best Friends blog (see below) for more. This year, for the first time, we have been fortunate to receive help from the World Parrot Trust so we may rescue more of these parrots.
New disaster risk-reduction building at our shelter
Every year, our city of Visakhapatnam is prone to cyclones. At our shelter, the potential for damage or disaster is great. On any given day we cater to 611 cattle, 200 dogs, 53 cats, 40 Animal Birth Control operations for dogs and cats, new wild animal rescues and the upkeep of 4 horses, 11 monkeys, 34 star tortoises, 124 birds, 15 rabbits, 6 mice, 8 guinea pigs, 6 crows and 2 hens. All this on less than three acres of land.
We are always apprehensive about the safety of the animals in our shelter, even during normal monsoon times.
Although we have already spent a lot of money developing our drainage system, we are far from having solved the problem. We would like to develop our disaster plans to include an improved drainage system, a boundary wall up to five feet high, structures to keep wildlife safer, and an inventory of emergency materials such as mobile generators, torches, shovels, industrial equipment, rain coats, rain boots, helmets and flash lights.
And we are making progress. Recently, WSPA generously helped underwrite the construction of our new Emergency Animal Feed Storage Facility. Built four feet above ground level, the facility will keep feed and medicines for up to 1,000 animals (including up to six tons of cattle feed) safe and hygienic through any flood. We are grateful to WSPA for this generous help.
Thanks to many who have helped!
We are pleased to acknowledge major support for our programs from the Greater Good Animal Rescue Site. You can help their noble effort for all animals by visiting their site and clicking each day.
We have received extremely helpful supplies once again from the Animal Rescue League of Boston. A special thank you to our consultant expert veterinarian, Dr. Bosmat Gal. Her twice yearly visits are continuing to improve our standards and protocols. Supplies were also donated by a great new grassroots group, the Animal Medical Care Foundation. This year, we once again received sponsorship for two veterinarian salaries from the Maria Norbury Fund for Animals. We currently employ four extremely hard working veterinarians and hope to add a fifth.
Thank you for all the support from our many worldwide friends.
Now, the punishing summer heat ˆ with all the hardships, virulent diseases and special needs for our care to all of the street animals ˆ is upon us. A dependable flow of monthly income is key to our ability to maintain the shelter and all of our programs. We are driven to continue our mission! Please consider becoming part of the Visakha SPCA Sustainers Fund by joining our loyal team of monthly donors. Of course, any contribution is most welcome including your ideas and important networking to your friends. Your donation is fully tax deductible if coming from India or if coming from the United States (through the Help Animals India info available on our donate link).
On behalf of Pradeep Nath and all at Visakha SPCA,
Eileen Weintraub
Visakha SPCA global outreach,
Help Animals India
How you can help
The address and website of the Visakha SPCA:
Visakha SPCA
26-15-200 Main Road, Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh 530001, India
Tel: 91-891-2716124 (office) 2001046 (shelter)
http://vspca.org
To read, "Andhra Pradesh: On the trail of parrot poachers!" please go to
http://network.bestfriends.org/india/news/34153.html
Posted by Sharon St Joan, Best Friends Network
Top photo: Joellen Secondo / Our Shelter Manager, Sarada, with a friend
Second photo: Visakha SPCA / Sarada stands outside the VSPCA front gate with a few of the nearly 200 free-roaming resident dogs we have rescued.
Third photo: Jennifer Lawler / Another horse rescued by VisakhaSPCA, not Vanessa