Coming Soon: New Stray Clinic and Animal Sanctuary in Kerala

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 13th, 2008, 13:54

Hi All,

When I came to India as my base for the next four years (over a year ago), I put on my figurative blinkers as I realised that I would very quickly accumulate animals in need as they (call me stupid) tend to break my heart.

I now have looked after four dogs and a number of cats on either a full-time or part-time basis and so I have to admit that the blinkers (although not the gloves) are off.

I am currently looking for a suitable property to rent near Fort Cochin (near Beach Road would be ideal) to commence a Stray Clinic and Animal Sanctuary. Eventually, it will carry out - on an ongoing basis - the ABC (animal birth control) Program that the Kerala Government is required to carry out. They had a one day clinic last year

and there is anecdotal evidence that they periodically still carry out the early morning shootings that were prohibited by the Supreme Court.

The clinic doesn't need to be anything too fancy but needs a good size garden and a couple of rooms that can be used as clinics. We will also need a vet or two that actually like animals and would like a mix of local (paid) and visiting (unpaid but loved) vets to expand the experience of both local and visiting vets. Please contact me if you are interested or know of suitable local vets.

While I would ideally want to get the basics set up over the next month (yes, it WILL be basic), it will not be fully functioning until after my return to India in October.

I would be happy to hear from anyone that can be of assistance in any way.

Thanks.

birds · Apr 14th, 2008, 12:14

Excellent news! Fantastic that you are going to do this.

As I am based in Goa and do not know anybody in Kerala, I am not quite sure how to help out but I am going to think about how I can.

Is funding an immediate problem?

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 15th, 2008, 01:40

Hi Birds,

Funding is not an immediate problem but will be one day. I am hoping though to eventually tap into the vet network back in Australia (and other countries) as a source of traveling vets and funding. It will be a while before I have set up the necessary processes, accounts and safeguards to take and distribute other peoples' money. I will make all the early mistakes on my own and people who want to can climb on board when things are a little more certain.

Regards

birds · Apr 15th, 2008, 13:06

Can you send me a few more details (is there a website?) than I can ask around my contacts in Europe whether they know vets that are willing to come.

puchoo · Apr 15th, 2008, 13:09

This sounds like an excellent initiative Dr, wishing you the best of luck in this endeavor.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 15th, 2008, 13:26

Thanks Puchoo.

Birds - it is early days at the moment and we will be starting small. My 'vision' above is aspirational but, expressed, makes it one step closer to realisation. I will let you know when there is something (anything!) to look at (website etc.). At the moment I am focusing on premises, staff, costing and fleshing out the vision thang. But appreciate the enthusiasm.

I PM Noodle but she must not have been on recently. If you see her lingering around here, please ask or to contact me.

Anyone who knows the names and contact numbers of decent vets arount Fort Cochin/Ernakalum, please let me know. We are always looking for good clinics and will need to continue to use them up to (and probably after) we get get established.

Nick-H · Apr 15th, 2008, 14:05

Congratulations, and best wishes for the future.

I'd guess that the big danger would be of being quickly overwhelmed; I'm sure you'll find no shortage of demand.

Larkilli · Apr 15th, 2008, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Gajaprishthakara

Hi All,

I would be happy to hear from anyone that can be of assistance in any way.

Thanks.

Namaste.. and here i am!
I'm no vet unfortunately.. but a passionate animal lover and advocate. When i don't work for my project "Animal Voice" (see more on the link of my signature) i'm a pet-sitter/dog walker.
I'm planning to come over there around Sept/Oct for a few months, and will definitely reaching Kerala as well.
If you are interested in my help, lets keep in touch and feel free to tell me more and updates on your great project (pm's will be best for one on one comunication).

Thumbs up for you Doc!

puchoo · Apr 15th, 2008, 14:20

So true!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I'd guess that the big danger would be of being quickly overwhelmed; I'm sure you'll find no shortage of demand.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 15th, 2008, 14:43

Thanks Larkilli - I will be in contact!!! and thanks Nick.

We will predominantly (I imagine) doing stray health from a my converted autorickshaw with only some coming to the 'sanctuary' for short, medium or long term stays and treatment. But yes, at the moment out of season, I get about one request a week to take on an animal and in season it rises considerably.

The purpose though is not to bring the street animals into a different life but to improve their quality of street life by improving their overall health. This includes birth control. The reason that I don't take most of the animals that are offered to me (apart from space) is that they are probably ok (not great but OK) where they were (with improvements in their health - worming, parasites, injuries etc).

I don't think I could do this in Goa. The dogs run Goa.

birds · Apr 16th, 2008, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Gajaprishthakara

I don't think I could do this in Goa. The dogs run Goa.

If only that was true.

Keep us informed and do let know when I can help.

Apr 13th, 2008, 13:54	#1
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Coming Soon: New Stray Clinic and Animal Sanctuary in Kerala Hi All, When I came to India as my base for the next four years (over a year ago), I put on my figurative blinkers as I realised that I would very quickly accumulate animals in need as they (call me stupid) tend to break my heart. I now have looked after four dogs and a number of cats on either a full-time or part-time basis and so I have to admit that the blinkers (although not the gloves) are off. I am currently looking for a suitable property to rent near Fort Cochin (near Beach Road would be ideal) to commence a Stray Clinic and Animal Sanctuary. Eventually, it will carry out - on an ongoing basis - the ABC (animal birth control) Program that the Kerala Government is required to carry out. They had a one day clinic last year and there is anecdotal evidence that they periodically still carry out the early morning shootings that were prohibited by the Supreme Court. The clinic doesn't need to be anything too fancy but needs a good size garden and a couple of rooms that can be used as clinics. We will also need a vet or two that actually like animals and would like a mix of local (paid) and visiting (unpaid but loved) vets to expand the experience of both local and visiting vets. Please contact me if you are interested or know of suitable local vets. While I would ideally want to get the basics set up over the next month (yes, it WILL be basic), it will not be fully functioning until after my return to India in October. I would be happy to hear from anyone that can be of assistance in any way. Thanks. Last edited by Dr. Gajaprishthakara : Apr 13th, 2008 at 15:26. Reason: spellinfg and missing and spaces

Apr 15th, 2008, 13:09	#5
puchoo Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 3,749	This sounds like an excellent initiative Dr, wishing you the best of luck in this endeavor. __________________ Cheers! Sidharth Indiamike Mod team............the new kid on the block! puchoo.wordpress.com

Apr 15th, 2008, 14:05	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,862	Congratulations, and best wishes for the future. I'd guess that the big danger would be of being quickly overwhelmed; I'm sure you'll find no shortage of demand. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Apr 14th, 2008, 12:14	#2
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 542	Excellent news! Fantastic that you are going to do this. As I am based in Goa and do not know anybody in Kerala, I am not quite sure how to help out but I am going to think about how I can. Is funding an immediate problem?

Apr 15th, 2008, 01:40	#3
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Hi Birds, Funding is not an immediate problem but will be one day. I am hoping though to eventually tap into the vet network back in Australia (and other countries) as a source of traveling vets and funding. It will be a while before I have set up the necessary processes, accounts and safeguards to take and distribute other peoples' money. I will make all the early mistakes on my own and people who want to can climb on board when things are a little more certain. Regards

Apr 15th, 2008, 13:06	#4
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 542	Can you send me a few more details (is there a website?) than I can ask around my contacts in Europe whether they know vets that are willing to come.

Apr 15th, 2008, 13:26	#6
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Thanks Puchoo. Birds - it is early days at the moment and we will be starting small. My 'vision' above is aspirational but, expressed, makes it one step closer to realisation. I will let you know when there is something (anything!) to look at (website etc.). At the moment I am focusing on premises, staff, costing and fleshing out the vision thang. But appreciate the enthusiasm. I PM Noodle but she must not have been on recently. If you see her lingering around here, please ask or to contact me. Anyone who knows the names and contact numbers of decent vets arount Fort Cochin/Ernakalum, please let me know. We are always looking for good clinics and will need to continue to use them up to (and probably after) we get get established.

Apr 15th, 2008, 14:43	#10
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Thanks Larkilli - I will be in contact!!! and thanks Nick. We will predominantly (I imagine) doing stray health from a my converted autorickshaw with only some coming to the 'sanctuary' for short, medium or long term stays and treatment. But yes, at the moment out of season, I get about one request a week to take on an animal and in season it rises considerably. The purpose though is not to bring the street animals into a different life but to improve their quality of street life by improving their overall health. This includes birth control. The reason that I don't take most of the animals that are offered to me (apart from space) is that they are probably ok (not great but OK) where they were (with improvements in their health - worming, parasites, injuries etc). I don't think I could do this in Goa. The dogs run Goa.

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