DOG POPULATION MANAGEMENT,
RABIES CONTROL & ERADICATION,
ANIMAL WELFARE IMPROVEMENT

• Dog Population Census & Community Questionnaire Survey
• Mass Anti-Rabies Vaccination
• Sterilisation
• Public Awareness & School Education Programmes
• Rescue & Treatment
• Mobile Neutering Clinics
• Collaborative Working with Other Organisations

Dog Population Census & Community Questionnaire Survey

In order to achieve a stable and healthy street animal population it is necessary to gauge the number of animals requiring assistance and then to repeatedly re-count the population numbers to evaluate the effect of HART's intervention.

In both Pokhara and Bharatpur the staff have made direct counts of all the dogs on the streets in all the wards and collected information on their condition and health. This process will be supplemented by use of mark-resight techniques in future censuses to improve our understanding of the size of the dog population.

Currently the census concentrates on the dog population as there are far fewer cats in Nepal.

In addition a detailed survey of householders' attitudes to the animals in their midst is carried out annually. Around 600 questionnaires are completed for each town enabling HART to track the impact of its work from year to year.

This data is made available to our partner institutions.



Mass Anti-Rabies Vaccination

HART's target is to vaccinate over 70% of the dog population as this is the level at which currently accepted statistics determine that the rabies risk to humans becomes minimal.

This level of vaccination is achieved through a series of vaccination days and camps.

The staff move into each ward of the cities in turn, walking through the streets and vaccinating animals whilst disseminating information on rabies avoidance.

During camps, which are held on holidays and during public events, the staff encourage any animal owner to bring their dog or cat (or fox, or monkey) for its check up and vaccination. Again on these occasions information about rabies avoidance is given out to all particpants.

Anti-rabies vaccination is repeated annually making this an expensive and time consuming element of the range of programmes.



Sterilisation

This programme is designed to humanely reduce the stray, community and owned dog and cat populations to levels that are sustainable and acceptable to the community and to therefore end the use of poison to cull animals.

HART adopts Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return protocols and does not retain animals on its premises. All are returned to their community.

HART’s CLO (Community Liaison Officer) contacts the Community Development Committee in each ward prior to work starting. He identifies responsible persons to care for non-owned animals after their operations.

Animals are normally monitored post operatively for 5 days by HART staff or until completely recovered.

The sterilisation operations are carried out:

• In HART’s clinic in Pokhara or Bharatpur
• In premises supplied by local communities
• In our mobile tented clinic

HART concentrates on spaying bitches, working methodically through the wards of each town or area.

HART is actively monitoring the development of chemical sterilisation.



Public Awareness & School Education Programmes

Many of the cruelties endured by animals in Nepal are due to lack of awareness of animals’ sentience. There are many issues to address and HART has focused its education programme in Pokhara on teaching basic facts about rabies and being a responsible dog owner. As a result we have been able to evaluate the impact of our school programmes.

The programme was based on WSPA materials and methodology. Re-evaluation of the programme in 2011 showed a significant increase in understanding by the children involved. The programme will run again in Pokhara in 2012 and will be extended to Bharatpur if resources allow.

HART regularly distributes leaflets on the avoidance of dog bites and rabies information at public events and exhibits posters conveying its messages wherever possible.

HART also appears at municipal events frequently and uses local media, both radio and print, to improve public awareness regarding animals.

HART has worked hard to become an integral part of the two communities it serves and has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the local authorities.



Rescue & Treatment

Sick and injured animals are treated as necessary. Any animals needing extra nursing or medical care are retained until well enough to be returned to their owners or a designated carer in the community. HART does not operate a sanctuary but works constantly to improve and encourage care in the community.

The clinic in Pokhara charges small amounts to owners for vaccinations, medical supplies and operations in order to establish and re-inforce the bond between animal and carer.



Mobile Neutering Clinics

HART uses a mobile tented clinic to carry out sterilisation and health camps in areas where suitable premises are not available.

A film explaining the value of these clinics has been made to show to local authorities who may be persuaded to use neutering as an alternative to poisoning.

Mobile clinics have been held in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, and Illam in the east of the country. This annual round will be repeated in 2013 and possibly extended if resources allow.




Collaborative Working with Other Organisations

HART has now become an integrated part of the community in Pokhara and is on target to do the same in Bharatpur. It is important that it is not viewed as a "parachute" charity which arrives and then departs equally rapidly.

An excellent working relationship has been established with IAAS (Institute of Agriculture and Science), the college from which most of Nepal’s vets graduate. HART has also shared volunteers and programmes with AHTCS (Animal Health Training and Consultancy Services) an NGO based in Pokhara and focused on livestock health and management.

In addition HART offers its expertise and resources to other animal welfare organisations and to individuals or other groups who want to join in the drive to improve life for animals in Nepal.