Help in Suffering

Add as a preferred source on Google

'For helping suffering animals and all living things', the Help in Suffering, a charitable trust has marked 25 years of service to the protection and welfare of street animals in Jaipur. A group of compassionate souls, under the Animal Birth Control programme of spaying, identification and anti - rabies vaccinations from 1994 to March 2004 have seen 30,000 dogs undergo treatment. They have proudly declared Jaipur rabies free, with not a single rabies case having been reported in the last 3 years and the neighbourhood dog population has come down by 28 %, according to Dr Sunil Chawla.

The HIS animal shelter at Durgapura has an air of serenity and warmth that runs through all it's inmates alike - humans and animals. A bond of trust, caring and kindness exists, the suffering animals can certainly sense the vibes permeating from the entire staff working with tireless dedication. The shelter has a full - fledged dispensary, an animal birth control theatre, a 'gou shala', kennels for dogs under treatment, stables and a refuge for camels.

Christine, whose eyes light up at the mention of animals, has pledged her "life to animal liberation in India since 1992." An author of six books on violation of animal rights, she says her "passion for animal care made her take the cause of animals because they don't have a voice. They are like my children who need somebody to speak on their behalf. I am their self - appointed spokesperson." It's been anything but a cakewalk for Christine, who started the shelter with just the basics, facing all odds, working without water and electricity at times yet she sports a merry twinkle while saying so - "It's been terrific working and living in the shelter."

Perseverance and passion saw her through and of course, support from her animal loving husband. With the World Society for Animal Protection backing HIS throughout and Animuix Secour keeping up the funds in - flow, the team plunged headlong into the 'canine' challenges barking through the city.

"We spend Rs 4 lakhs per month on our various projects, 5 vans tour the city areas daily to bring in animals that are suffering and need veterinary aid," Dr Sunil Chawla said. "We've had to prove ourselves to the people of Jaipur, working on the streets, picking up dying puppies from the gutters, saving dogs from being poisoned. The responses were slow but trust soon built up as they saw the dog population dynamics changing for the better," said Christine, who swears by living in India, "I think in my last life I must have been an Indian." Perspectives expand as a tourist visiting Jaipur told her, " This is the only city in India where I haven't seen a suffering dog." Christine feels secure that now no dog will be poisoned or killed and waxes eloquent about the supportive role played by the Nagar Nigam - "They are extremely cooperative and have understood that the best way to control dog population is by spaying and poisoning." Future projects include a new ABC shelter becoming functional in March 2005 in Amer that will expand the area of operation beyond Jhotwara to Vidhyadar Nagar and Amer.

"Our capacity till now to treat 300 dogs will double to 600 dogs," Dr Sunil Chawla added. Another dream up Christine's sleeve is to build an elephant refuge for those elephants who can no longer work.

"Funds and exchange programmes from UK, France, USA give us a wonderful, magical international network, leaving all the people involved with hands on learning experience on animals like camels and elephants and they depart carrying with them the amaxing spirit of survival so typical of this country," enthused Christine. Dr Sunil Chawla rued the blind faith of Bikaner's populace in the myth of Shani Maharaj being appeased by feeding stray dogs. " This is the single reason why Bikaner has the highest incidence of rabies in the world." Cleanliness in the residential areas is of prime importance as lack of food will keep the dog population away, citing examples of Bani Park and Civillines(of course!) being clean and hence no dogs seen in these areas. The Municipality has to beef up its act.

Dog menace is a reality in Jaipur - it's being 'woofed' out by a group of sensitive 'doggy - souled' people who believe that liberty is given by nature even to mute animals and anything that can feel pain must not be put to pain. Humanity will advance only when it becomes more humane.