People For Animals - India's largest Animal welfare organization by Maneka Gandhi

The ABC programme continued to remain the major activity at both our shelters, in Vasco and in Ponda during the year.  PFA had applied to Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for grant-in-aid for 2000 dogs to be sterilized i.e. 1000 at each shelter.  PFA was able to achieve this target and sterilized a total of 2032 dogs during 2011-12, 1078 dogs at Ponda and 954 dogs at Vasco. We have thus achieved our target and we are awaiting receipt of our grant from AWBI.

All dogs that are sterilized are also vaccinated against rabies as per ABC protocol.  Due to awareness programmes conducted in the municipality and the villages many pet owners are bringing their dogs and cats to our shelters for vaccination against rabies. PFA has vaccinated 1019 pet dogs in Mormugao taluka and 368 dogs in Ponda taluka.  In addition, the Mormugao shelter has held ARV camps in 4 panchayats namely Sancoale, Arossim, Chicalim, Agassim and it has also conducted a door-to-door ARV camp in Vasco municipality.

A number of dogs are treated for various illnesses, injuries etc at both our shelters. Some are pets which are brought to the shelters by their owners. Others are strays which we are informed are having injuries, or our workers observe to be in need of treatment during their rounds. OPD facility also brings us revenue to meet the cost of our non-funded programmes at the shelters and the shortfall in funds for the ABC programme.  It must be mentioned that our charges at the OPD clinic are extremely nominal and among the lowest charged by any other AWO in the State.  

The following is the record of treatment provided to stray and pet animals at the OPDs at both our shelters. The animals treated include dogs, cats, cows, bulls, various birds and miscellaneous animals like goat, turtle etc.

PFA has received numerous calls from citizens in the respective municipal councils / panchayats in Mormugao and Ponda to attend to emergencies or problems concerning animals. During the year we have rescued a total of 163 animals. These include cattle, birds, reptiles, dogs, cats and other small animals.

Emergencies are usually in the nature of road accidents or animals fallen in wells or animals inadvertently trapped. Many persons complain about pet owners who chain their dogs continuously, or tie them in the hot sun or do not give adequate food / water. People also complain about animals injured in road or fallen in the wells or animal fights.

Problem animals reported are usually dogs chasing or biting, snakes entering peoples’ homes or animal fights. Rescue calls always receive top priority and PFA staff attend to all complaints on the same day and few perhaps on the next day. There are few cases where the animals cannot be found when PFA staff visit the site.  In the case of all complaints the complainant is asked to also inform the respective municipality/panchayats so that the local body is also aware of the complaints from its citizens and the assistance rendered by PFA.

In the case of injured cattle rescue, the cattle are brought to the MMC shelter for treatment and recovery while in the case of Ponda they are treated at the site itself since the shelter is not large enough to accommodate cattle.

During the year we have inspected the cattle pounds that all village panchayats are required to have as per Court orders and we have observed that in most of the villages although the panchayat has informed the High Court that they have cattle pound these are only in name.  We have therefore started negotiating with each village panchayat to put up proper facilities at the cattle pounds so that large animals can be treated in these pounds by our veterinary doctors.  

It is apparent that citizens have become aware of the existence of our shelters and of the fact that PFA staff respond to complaints regarding animal problems. The respective municipality and panchayats are naturally happy at the service we provide as this frees them from having to attend to animal related complaints. We contact the respective municipality/panchayats to provide us manpower (municipal workers) or vehicle so that we can effectively attend to the rescues.  

The following is the record of number of complaints received:

Due to shortage of staff and increasing number of rescue calls from the public plus increase in the volume of animals that come to the shelter for treatment, PFA has not been able to carry out education awareness programme during this year.  We however participated in the Whistling Woods Programme for generating awareness among youth which was held in Panaji in December 2011.  PFA was the sole NGO selected to be highlighted among the participants of its workshop which included representatives from large number of organizations in and around Goa.

PFA has received its ABC grant for 2010-11 during this financial year and it now awaits the grant promised for 2011-2012. Several donations were received in cash and kind.  PFA received a generous donation of  Rs. 2 lakhs from the Winsome Constance Kindness Foundation, through the good offices of PFA-Delhi. The money is to be used for upgrading the facilities at the shelters.

There has been a recent surge in membership particularly new members form Vasco town. Most of the new members have signed as life members. They have also promised to take active part in furthering the activities of PFA , especially in Mormugao taluka.  [Image Gallery]