*HUGE SENSITIZATION CAMP – by AHD, MCD, Sonadi*
Today the Deptt of Animal Husbandary (AHD), Govt of NCT of Delhi, organized
a massive free anti rabies camp in Dwarka, along with MCD, Sonadi Trust &
Canis Welfare Pet Club.
The venue for the camp was the Vet Hospital in Dwarka which is
strategically located, covering Dwarka, Palam Village, Mahavir Enclave and
Janak Puri. The idea of this camp was to sensitize the people living in
urban villages who are ignorant of the concept of rabies and
sterilizations. These were mostly pet owners who keep dogs without
understanding the responsibilities attached to the concept. Mahavir Enclave
& Palam Villages are areas which have narrow lanes, no green and small
plotted houses. These people keep pets that are most of the time tied up
for security reasons. In these congested areas one can also see unchecked
breeding fo street dogs who not only suffer immensely but also face a lot
of threat from the people, including pet owners.
The idea of this camp was to start a sensitization process wherein people
would be taught about Rabies and the importance of checking unrequired
breeding of dogs, including sale and purchase of pets.
In the next camp, these organizations would take the awareness to the next
level wherein people can be asked to adopt street dogs after getting them
vaccinated and sterilized rather than buy expensive breeds from breeders
and tie them at their doorsteps. *The main issue of security in these areas
is what makes most of them keep pet*s. So instead of every house having
pets tied up, the colony should adopt all street dogs and thus reduce the
support to pet industry and help MCD, AHD, NGOs reduce street dog
population, cruelty and conflicts of all kinds.
The joint efforts of these private and public organizations was seen when
the Director, AHD ; Dr Alok Agarwal from MCD ; Mrs Sen from Sonadi ; Dr
Vijay and other important people showed up themselves to spend time and let
people know the importance of such joint efforts. Many animal volunteers
also showed up and encouraged the cause.
Nothing can replace *public participation* and *community awareness*.
Cheers to these orgniazations who are doing great work within the limited
resources they have. I would not end this by saying “please donate”, but
would implore every individual to take out a little time to participate and
make things easier for them by sharing labour.
Money cant buy it all !
Sharing physical burden and time makes things happen, rather than just
dropping a cheque. Please be there the next time such a camp happens
arround your area. The least you would do is encourage these organiations,
which means a lot to people who really work on the ground.
Pictures are uploaded at this link :
https://picasaweb.google.com/108834722272119476799/DropBox#
—
Rishi Dev,
Citizens For Animal Rights (CFAR),
New Delhi.