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Companion Animal Programs: Asia
The rapid increase in the number of uncontrolled and street or “community” dogs which breed freely is a significant problem in developing countries around the world. The constant possibility of rabies outbreak and the cost of rabies treatment in cases of dog bite are serious public health issues. When rabies is present, or wherever international attention is drawn to stray dog problems in a country, the reaction is either to conduct massive extermination campaigns using strychnine poison or to shoot dogs in the street.
In North America and Europe, the main approach to problems caused by too many dogs and cats and too few homes, has been to promote some version of “legislate, educate and sterilize.” However these areas of the world are affluent, and have well-developed veterinary professions. In developing countries, there are more strays, fewer resources and limited veterinary training. So there is a need to identify other options which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of any given region. Consequently key objectives of HSI’s companion animal program are to promote the human-animal bond, raise awareness of companion animal issues through humane education and to work with international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to design and implement effective and humane stray dog control programs.
Listed here are some of the past and present companion animal programs in Asia sponsored in wholly or in part by HSI. If you wish to look at HSI programs in the rest of the world, please click here.
Street Dogs in Bali, Indonesia
Hundreds of stray, feral and emaciated dogs roam the streets of Bali, and in 1999 the Bali Street Dog Foundation (Yudisthira) was founded to address this major problem. Through it’s now highly successful Street Dog Program, Yudisthira identifies problem areas on the island, then introduces spay, neuter and release activities along with local community education in responsible pet ownership.
In 2001, HSI and Yudisthira agreed to target a previously un-targeted area of South Bali, in which they would introduce their activities and then follow up with statistical analysis of the program. The objective was to provide a case study which would then be presented at HSI International’s 2002 conference on the “Challenges of Animal Protection on Island Nations”. This project was highly successful and the documentation helped establish it as a model for adapt ion in other countries, particular other island nations.
Training Vets in China
Training in areas of Western veterinary medicine is generally not included in the regular course of study for veterinarians in China. So in 2001 HSI supported the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Hong Kong in a program of monthly lectures which aimed to improve animal welfare conditions in mainland China.
The lectures have now become bimonthly and are delivered in both Beijing and Shanghai. They are supported by a powerpoint presentation and the attendees also receive written notes prepared by the lecturing veterinary surgeons. The lectures are well attended (approximately 250 attendees from all levels of the profession) and there are plans to expand the program to include hands-on workshops and practical demonstrations.
Guam Animals in Need
Guam Animals in Need (GAIN) is a committed group dedicated to addressing the animal problems on the island. Made up of volunteers, on several occasions they have turned to HSI for assistance in establishing a successful animal care and control program on the islands of Guam and Palau.
In May 2001, the Humane Society United States (HSUS) Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) team treated and sterilized more than 300 dogs and cats on Guam and close to 90 animals on Palau. A team returned in March 2003 and again, treated and sterilized several hundred animals. Along with the RAVS team, HSI also sent in a humane education specialist to meet with local teachers to discuss the developed and implementation of a humane education campaign on Guam. This initiative is being followed up on and HSI will provide assistance and guidance as the campaign develops.
ABC (Animal Birth Control) in India
From 2001 to 2003, HSI funded the services of veterinarian Jack Reece to provide training and expertise to shelters in India based on Help in Suffering’s (HIS’s) successful Animal Birth Control Program. He was also tasked with collecting, collating and analyzing information which would help demonstrate the effectiveness of the ABC program to Indian government authorities.
The results of the project exceeded all expectations and it has not only stimulated the establishment of new shelters, but more importantly, proper animal welfare management in veterinary procedures and the handling of animals. Another important outcome was the decision by the Delhi municipal government to start a properly funded and monitored ABC program. Involving non-government organizations, the government and their veterinary department, HSI will be involved in the program by providing training in how to capture dogs humanely.
However, perhaps the most significant outcome of the project is that research into cases of rabies in Jaipur revealed that there had been no new cases in the area covered by the ABC program for more than two years. This is considered to be an “incredible achievement” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) given “the massive problem [of rabies] in India.”
Finally, also resulting from the program were close connections formed with the Rajasthan State Veterinary College, with students being introduced to the concepts of animal welfare, and trained in small animal veterinary skills. A collaborative program to increase the awareness of animal welfare in practice has consequently been established, and as part of this program, third year vet students will spend a week at an HIS shelter, observing, learning and participating in informal seminars which focus on animal welfare issues.
Caring for Animals in Nepal
In April 2001, a Rabies and Humane Slaughter Conference was co-sponsored by HSI, Tufts University, the National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre in Nepal, and The Tara Project Australia Inc. One of the participants was the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Nepal (SPCAN). Through this introduction to SPCAN, and it’s advisory and support organization, The Tara Project Australia, HSI recognized the potential for increasing awareness of companion animal issues, particularly the need for spaying and neutering, and proper veterinary care in this small country.
In September-October 2001 and February-March 2002 SPCAN presented highly successful Animal Health Care Camps and humane education programs in Kathmandu funded by HSI. The education programs involved presentations to more than 2000 students and the widespread distribution of written materials. The Health Care Camps included talks and audiovisual presentations on animal welfare and zoonotic diseases.
In 2002, HSI also provided operational support for SPCAN’s Animal Recovery Shelter and Veterinary Clinic, and in 2003 we are supporting the establishment of a permanent veterinary operations manager position at the clinic. In addition (and for the third time) HSI is also providing financial support to the Tara Project Australia for travel to Nepal to give administrative and managerial assistance.
Animal Welfare in Taiwan
HSI first became aware of Taiwan's problem with strays when the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) sponsored a workshop on animal handling and control there in 1995. That same year the inhumane animal control practices and unspeakable housing conditions for stray dogs and cats in Taiwan made headline news around the world. HSI wrote a letter of support at that time to the Taiwanese government, hoping it would embrace the training and reform animal control practices that included capturing dogs with piano wire loops and slinging them into trucks for delivery to pounds or collection sites.
Few changes had taken place by the time of the 1996 conference, when HSI witnessed this situation first hand. However when Martha Armstrong, HSUS Vice President for Companion Animals, was asked by the conference's developer to help him help his country deal with the stray dog problem in a more humane and comprehensive manner, our real involvement began.
In April 1998 an historic three year agreement was signed by The HSUS/HSI, the Hawaiian Humane Society and various \entities of the Government of the Republic of China, creating a partnership to promote humane animal care and control and responsible pet ownership in Taiwan. In April 2001, a second agreement was signed. These form the basis for a comprehensive program of effective and humane animal care and control on the island.
In the six years since that call for help was made, HSUS/HSI, assisted by the Hawaiian Humane Society, have conducted eight in-depth training sessions for Taiwanese shelter workers, veterinarians, representatives of various government agencies and private organizations, and others. Staff have made regular visits to the island to help design and implement a comprehensive and humane program of animal care and control.
With the guidance, training, and information that have been provided, many improvements have been made. But much remains to be done as we continue our efforts to alleviate the suffering of Taiwan's stray dogs and cats.
Founded and developed by a veterinarian from Hong Kong, The Atigaro Project is working to humanely and sustainably control the stray dog and cat populations on the island of Phuket in Thailand. Modelled on the successful Bal Street Dog Program, the project runs capture-neuter-release field clinics in conjunction with educational programs in responsible pet care and animal respect.
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