Paws a While - newsletter of AHF, Ahmedabad NOV 04

[Guest guest]

From the desk of Founder/coordinator

 

Being the first E-news letter I convinced the editor of " Paws a

while " to grant me some space although I am likely to disappear

from

its future editions. Most of you might not even be aware of the

existence of AHF (Animal Help Foundation) and I thought I will

introduce you to Animal Help Foundation, a movement which has

changed many lives – human and animals since the past 4 years in

the

city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

 

Someone said –

 

" My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already

thinks

I am. "

 

Forgiveness and unconditional love are the divine qualities of

animals in exchange of which they are treated with apathy and

cruelty. This Human-animal conflict was the basis of formation of

AHF because humans have to be brought to a level where they start

respecting animals, and it is only then that cruelty will cease.

 

AHF's first activity was an earthquake relief program in Kutch in

association with WSPA after which AHF started operations in

Ahmedabad on the SPCA land with a meager 9 kennels and 4 staff with

a part time vet. Today in the same premises AHF can boast of 26 full

time paid employees including 03 qualified veterinarians, in-house

patient facilities for 500 animals and birds with well appointed

medical, trauma, surgical and quarantine wards for dogs in addition

to monkey cages, bird cages and a small but effective urban wildlife

section. AHF's infrastructure also includes an in-house X-Ray

room,

an in-house pathology and 3 modified ambulances. Having treated over

18000 animals and birds and sterilizing 12000 street dogs, AHF is

now expanding and is eagerly waiting for the new shelter to be

completed to be able to cater to more number of animals.

 

In the end I would like to conclude by sharing with you the vision

when AHF starts to go out of " business " – there are no

more calls of

animals injured, no more birds fall to the ground due to kite

flying, no more dancing monkeys and bears have to be rescued,

everyone decides to adopt a new religion which AHF propheses –

 

" BECOME A HUMANIMAL "

 

Rahul Sehgal

 

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

 

Hi!!!

Welcome to the first edition of our e-newsletter. This newsletter

will be a monthly affair, and will keep you in touch with the

happenings of our shelter, and the activities that we are involved

in. We are Animal Help Foundation, an animal welfare organization

set up in Gujarat, India. What started as a humble attempt to bring

about a change in the lives of thousands of animals and birds is now

a full fledged centre, with regular Animal Birth Control programs,

facilities for treatment of common and exotic species, medical,

surgical and emergency wards, a state-of-the-art operation theatre

and an in-house pathological laboratory. AHF is currently home to

about 300 dogs, a score of monkeys, peacocks, eagles, owls, cats and

a bat. We have managed to scale pretty respectable heights in the

four short years of our existence, and have been involved in a

number of campaigns that have proved instrumental in changing the

way people think about animals. We have been through quite a lot of

hardships and difficulties over the years, but just the thought of

saving innocent souls is what keeps us all going. AHF has to its

credit the distinction of being the first and only 24- hours- a- day-

365- days- a- year- open shelter in Ahmedabad, with three full time

qualified veterinarians, and trained handlers. We have managed to

neuter/spay about 12,000 dogs of Ahmedabad and the neighboring

areas, and have been able to bring home the fact that animals and

birds are creatures meant to be loved and respected and who deserve

all the tolerance and kindness we can shower on them.

 

There are times when we wish we could do more – save the few day

old

monkey whose spinal cord had been completely destroyed, (and almost

nonexistent), or the dog who met with an accident, or the countless

pigeons who have sharp string wound around their legs, or the deer,

or the civet cat ---- the list is practically endless.

 

But to counter all this, we do have quite a few " success "

stories

Raju the dog who had a fractured his pelvic bone and who now barks

at every new comer with all his will

Seeta- the Alsatian abandoned by her owner and who now follows our

vet Dr. Tina everywhere

Frodo - the pig whose mother was attacked by a pack of dogs

Sandhya – a monkey, who came to AHF when she was 3 days old,

Alkali- the dog who survived an acid attack

Fruity – the fruit bat whose " husband " Appy succumbed to

death.

Bhuri, Scooby,

 

And about 140 animals we have managed to re-home so far.

 

We are now almost addicted to AHF, and even a day of leave, gives

us " withdrawal symptoms " .

AHF is definitely our haven, the place where we work tirelessly to

save innocent lives.

 

Finally, " Paradise " found…

 

The new animal care center of AHF spread on 5 acres of land donated

by the proactive Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is under

construction on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Two specially modified vans have also been donated by the Ahmedabad

Municipal Corporation in addition to the 3 existing ambulances owned

by AHF.

The center is being built in 3 phases, the first one being

an " Animal Birth Control " center having a capacity to house

400 dogs

and equipped to carry out 40 spay/neuter surgeries a day

The 2nd phase will be a rehabilitation and recovery center for urban

wildlife including an exclusive raptor rehabilitation center.

The 3rd phase is an ambitious state of the art veterinary hospital

having all the latest amenities that technology has to offer to help

animals and birds.

The 1st and 2nd phases are slated to begin operations by the 14th of

February 2005.

 

Survivor of the month – " Shakeel " …

 

When the photograph of the majestic Great Indian Horned Owl appeared

in one of the leading vernacular dailies, Shakeel was suddenly in

the limelight with people coming to have a look at him almost daily.

Unfortunately his is not a happy story as he was caught from the

wild and his wings were broken at 3 different sites so that he may

never fly again.

 

Why? The answer is superstition and Black Magic beliefs.

 

Well, Shakeel is a brand ambassador of sorts, for his species, and

has revealed the plight and agony these majestic and lovely

creatures have to go through, only due to the stupid and idiotic

beliefs of a particular set of people.

Unfortunately, even the best of facilities may not be able to make

him fly again, and he is destined to remain grounded all his life.

It is ironic that in a country which has developed in almost all

respects, birds continue to be caught and by tantriks (Voodoo men)

and punished for no fault of theirs.

Maybe even sadder is the fact that Shakeel's is not a lone case -

there are hundreds of owls like him who are still in captivity and

are waiting for someone to help them out.

 

THE MONTH THAT WAS – - - - November 2004.

 

 

Visit by Gujarat Forest Dept Top Brass…

 

AHF was fortunate enough to have Mr. Pradeep Khanna I.F.S, the PCCF

(wildlife and forests), Gujarat State along with Mr. Amit Kumar as

visitors in November. AHF is grateful to them for their

encouragement and support offered and hopes to make this world safer

for animals with support from the government machinery.

 

Dr Dog…

 

After rave reviews and very successful visits in April and June, Dr.

Dog took a back seat due to monsoons. However, come December and Dr.

Dog already has a very busy schedule visiting at least 7

institutions twice a month ably administered by Sloka and Bijoy.

 

IN THE PIPELINE

 

Corporate Friends…

 

A program to be launched by AHF with a vision to raise funds and in

exchange,

providing the corporates an opportunity to dispense their social

responsibility and be recognized by the general masses

as " Compassionate Corporates " . AHF is hopeful that it will be

able

to generate substantial funds and is gearing up with seeking

appointments from corporate institutions to make presentations and

offer a variety of tools to get associated with AHF in exchange of

tangible benefits.

 

Medicines Messiah…

For the countless animals on our streets, survival is a matter of

luck, crossing the road is an ordeal; obtaining food everyday is a

challenge. Undoubtedly Survival Of The Fittest is what happens, but

what if the `fittest' need some help from humans?

They undoubtedly deserve a life that is beyond mere existence, which

is why we have launched `Medicines Messiah'- a program which

will

mainly target the pharmaceutical companies located in Ahmedabad (of

which, incidentally there is no dearth) and will convince them to

sponsor the shelter's drugs and other surgical necessities.

 

Medicine Messiah has already received excellent support from

pharmaceutical companies such as Intas and Torrent as they provided

free medicines as per the list of requirements submitted by AHF.

However, the program was launched as a pilot project to assess the

medicines requirement fulfilled, and we are over whelmed by the

response.

We will now strive to target more companies and make it a regular

donation in kind affair rather than a one time help.

 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

 

" Help the Birds "

 

Every year the months of Dec-Jan-Feb, see thousands of birds fall

prey to glass coated strings used to fly kites due to the festival

of " Uttarayan " on 14th Jan. Since 2001, AHF has received

about 2-3

thousand birds from within the limits of Ahmedabad city, but this

year we plan to cover the outlying villages and smaller towns in the

periphery of 200 Kms around Ahmedabad to be able to help more and

more victims of human insanity.

 

" Kill rabies, not dogs "

 

This is a campaign that will be launched as soon as our new

" Animal

Birth Control " center is ready; it will be on for at least 4

years

as AHF plans to sterilize at least 70% of the entire street dog

population of Ahmedabad by 2008.

 

 

" Donate paper and make the world safer "

 

This is a campaign that will sensitize children and adults about the

need to get involved with helping animals and birds even if they

cannot physically help them.

It will involve schools, corporates, hotels, and other institutions

and will involve them

giving us their old newspapers which will be sold to raise funds.

 

MONTHLY STATUS FOR NOVEMBER

 

The humid atmosphere of Ahmedabad around this time meant that most

of the dogs who were admitted suffered from maggot wounds.

 

Admitted animals -- 527

Dead animals - - 113

Released animals - - 145

Euthanasia animals - - 53

 

FOR PEOPLE WILLING TO HELP. . . . .

 

AHF issues tax exempt receipts under Sec 80(g) of the income tax act

for any donations received by cash, cheque or Demand draft (in favor

of " Animal Help Foundation " ) from within India.

 

AHF accepts donations from out of India in any currency by cheque in

favor of " Animal Help Foundation " , however kindly mention

your name

and address. (FCRA registration number 041910321)

If you are working with a pharmaceutical or a corporate and would

like to be a part of the programs mentioned above please write to us

at ahf

 

Donations in kind are also deeply appreciated and you could donate

raw materials for food such as wheat flour, milk powder, biscuits,

etc.

 

AHF would be happy to receive help in any form that you may think of

and kindly do not hesitate to contact us as we share the same

feeling of helping animals and birds.

 

Keep the faith and be kind to animals …

 

Kindly write to ahf if you do not wish to receive this

newsletter.

 

p.s. This is our first attempt to bring you abreast with our

activities, we promise to be more professional the next time around.

[Guest guest]

Could the editor of the Newsletter of AHF, Ahmedabad NOV 04. Please send me

their email address.

 

Thank you and kind regards

 

Chalissa1

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

its rahool

 

thanks

 

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 chalissa1 wrote :

>Could the editor of the Newsletter of AHF, Ahmedabad NOV 04.

>Please send me

>their email address.

>Thank you and kind regards

>Chalissa1

>