12 images Created 26 Apr 2019
Varanasi for Animals
Revered by Hindus as a holy city, and popular with international tourists, Varanasi is well known for harboring an abundance of stray dogs. Free roaming bulls, cows, and monkeys can also be seen throughout the crowded city. With limited government intervention for the welfare of these animals, non-governmental agencies have stepped in to fill the gap.
I had come to Varanasi to visit Varanasi for Animals, one such NGO with a mission to improve the lives of the cities free roaming animals.
Founded in 2014, Varanasi for Animals (VFA) is run by HOPE and Animals Trust, a registered NGO started by a group of animal lovers. The VFA project is also funded by Help Animals India, a USA non-profit that distributes grants to animal welfare organizations in India.
The VFA clinic and rescue shelter rests in a rural area about 15 minutes drive from the infamous Ghats (stairs) along the river Ganges. In addition to the sterilization surgeries, VFA treats sick or injured animals, both large and small, rescued from the streets of the holy city.
“We will do 13 females today, 10 to 15 surgeries per day on average.” Dr. Deepak explained, as he deftly placed a stitch to complete a spay surgery on an anesthetized street dog. He was operating on a group of dogs that had been captured on the streets of Varanasi just the day before.
“I focus on only female dogs for spaying. After surgery we keep the dog for 3-4 days then send them back to the same area we caught them from. We also vaccinate every dog for rabies before we release them. Their left ear is marked, so next year we go back to their area and give them a rabies booster.”
Dr. Deepak uses a strict anesthesia protocol to ensure the safety of each anesthetized dog. He then uses a spay hook to bring out the uterus through a very small incision, thus decreasing the dogs recovery time.
Another important part of VFA’s work is awareness campaigns in the local community. The organization believes this effort is important to develop community support for the humane treatment of animals.
To accomplish this goal, representatives from VFA visit local schools and give presentations on how to care for street dogs. Other topics include first aid for a dog bite, symptoms of rabies and the importance of the rabies vaccine. Reportedly, this outreach campaign has been very well received by students and community members.
I had come to Varanasi to visit Varanasi for Animals, one such NGO with a mission to improve the lives of the cities free roaming animals.
Founded in 2014, Varanasi for Animals (VFA) is run by HOPE and Animals Trust, a registered NGO started by a group of animal lovers. The VFA project is also funded by Help Animals India, a USA non-profit that distributes grants to animal welfare organizations in India.
The VFA clinic and rescue shelter rests in a rural area about 15 minutes drive from the infamous Ghats (stairs) along the river Ganges. In addition to the sterilization surgeries, VFA treats sick or injured animals, both large and small, rescued from the streets of the holy city.
“We will do 13 females today, 10 to 15 surgeries per day on average.” Dr. Deepak explained, as he deftly placed a stitch to complete a spay surgery on an anesthetized street dog. He was operating on a group of dogs that had been captured on the streets of Varanasi just the day before.
“I focus on only female dogs for spaying. After surgery we keep the dog for 3-4 days then send them back to the same area we caught them from. We also vaccinate every dog for rabies before we release them. Their left ear is marked, so next year we go back to their area and give them a rabies booster.”
Dr. Deepak uses a strict anesthesia protocol to ensure the safety of each anesthetized dog. He then uses a spay hook to bring out the uterus through a very small incision, thus decreasing the dogs recovery time.
Another important part of VFA’s work is awareness campaigns in the local community. The organization believes this effort is important to develop community support for the humane treatment of animals.
To accomplish this goal, representatives from VFA visit local schools and give presentations on how to care for street dogs. Other topics include first aid for a dog bite, symptoms of rabies and the importance of the rabies vaccine. Reportedly, this outreach campaign has been very well received by students and community members.
