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Give a stray dog a chance - and a home
By Himal Kotelawala, Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara

 

Dog, man’s best friend, also happens to be his worst enemy when it comes to spreading the deadly disease of rabies. It is up to man himself to put a stop to this problem without losing his friend in the process.

The Blue Paw Trust (BPT), a corporate social responsible (CSR) component of Pet Vet Clinic, together with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), has stepped forward to address this issue.

They have initiated a five year programme on humane dog population and rabies management that looks for long term sustainable solutions for the roaming dog population without killing them off.

Mobile clinics operated by the programme roam around within the city of Colombo encouraging dog owners and the community to bring their dogs for a free vaccination. The Trust also works with hospitals, schools, etc. to create special “dog managed” zones.

So far, the Castle Street Hospital, the Government Press and the Audit Department have been declared dog managed zones by the project.

Catching a stray dog.

“Our emphasis is on covering a broad spectrum of aspects. Changing people’s attitude towards the problem will have a big impact. Instead of saying it’s the CMC’s problem or the NGOs’ problem, people must learn to say that it’s ‘our’ problem,” says Dr. Nalinika Obeysekere, Trustee of the BPT.

Garbage is a major contributor to the problem of stray dogs, says Dr. Obeysekere, adding that if the garbage problem is taken care of half the work is done. “When it comes to vaccinating dogs, people should be concerned not only about their own dogs, but those in their neighbourhoods as well,” says Dr. Obeysekere.

BPT is looking at a holistic, comprehensive approach that focuses on long term sustainable solutions for the stray dog population. Starting with pilot activities in mid 2007 BPT has conducted dog population surveys, registration, school and community education and rabies vaccinations.

After capturing a stray dog, the vaccination is given and the animal is handed over to an individual or a group to care for it, BPT officials explain. Their contact details are given to the dog’s new owners in case any problem arises. BPT will also pay “follow-up” visits to monitor progress. A collar will be attached to the vaccinated dog and a circular bit of its right ear will be removed for identification purposes.

 
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