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HART has already helped many animals of various sorts, some have been street animals, others owned by people, often those in Tibetan Refugee Camps.ABC Programme: The majority of bitches inside the city of Pokhara have now been spayed though the ‘Animal Birth Control Programme’ (ABC). Many dog lovers have asked why we concentrate primarily on spaying bitches rather than castrating dogs; the simplest way to explain this is that if all the human men in a village were castrated, but one left entire, all the women of the village could be inseminated and have babies! Conversely, if the ladies had hysterectomies and one was missed out, only that lady would have children. Forgive the human analogy, but that seem to be the best way to explain why it is done this way.The bitches usually stay in our kennels for three or four nights folowing their op and then, if there are no complicatons, are released at the exact same spot that they were picked up. Strange as it may seem, the reunion with their fellow street-mates is a very happy affair, and the local people are given leaflets telling them what has happened and how to get in touch with HART should they envisage complications.
Mass Rabies Vaccination Programmes have been carried out not only in Pokhara but in many of the surrounding villages and at Tibetan Camps. Rabies in Pokhara is more serious than we had originally envisaged and appears to be a greater problem here than in Kathmandu. Sadly one young man from a local Tibetan Camp died of rabies when in Kathmandu and it transpired than he had been bitten in the camp by a dog from the local village. This resulted in one of our early mass rabies vaccination camps both in the Tibetan camp and the surrounding villages.
Since then we have carried out many more, all of which have been greatly appreciated for we have vaccinated not only street dogs but also community dogs and privately owned ones. In a country as poor as Nepal, few owners can afford to have their dogs vaccinated, however much they love them. 
 Very occasionally dogs that have become patients at HART have been offered homes by local dog lovers, but these homes have to be the right ones and we need many, many more... |
 Urgent Treatment: Many dogs have ended up at HART following a street accident, or because they have long-term injuries which have worsened over time. We even had one young dog who had been thrown from a second floor balcony. Thankfully she survived and was nursed back to health at HART, though her leg will never be the same again. Another problem regularly encountered is that of sexually transmitted tumours. Mange is evident in many dogs in Nepal and HART treats as many as possible so they can live more comfortable lives.. 
 Although most of HART's patients are dogs, injured animals come in all shapes and sizes. The young bullock below lost his mother in a truck accident in which she was fataly injured. The poor young chap did not come out unscathed either, but with HART's help, and the co-operation of Pokhara's Veterinary Hospital, his internal organs were stitched back in and he spent a few weeks recovering at HART. Clearly he could not fit into a kennel, but seemed happy enough in the dogs' exercise area where he made plenty of friends until his release.
 Horses have also found themselves patients at HART. They look splendid in their gaily coloured trappings which are worn when they take touists on short treks, but less evident are the scars hidden by their colourful blankets. Many horses and ponies in and around Pokhara endure terrible suffering from injuries hidden below. Even when they are being treated, it is difficult to get their owners to rest them, for if they are not working valuable income is lost. This makes the healing process very long but, eventually, the horses we have treated have become more-or-less free from pain. |
 HART's anti-rabies and treatment camps are always gratefully received. Some are held in Tibetan Refugee Camps and others in Nepali areas, both in town and in country districts.Usually virtualy 100% of the people in their community come along with their own pets and several of them also bring along street dogs that live in the vicinity. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds and often dogs are spruced up thoroughly before meeting the vet! When doing veterinary camps in areas that have a stong Buddhist following, Gurung Rinpoche, head of his monastery, is always willing to arrange a prayer ceremony too. All sorts of pets are brought along, including favourite goats.
 HART's Education Programmes are now underway as HART's Board realises the necessity of educating children, and indeed adults, to treat domestic animals with the care and attention they deserve.Although many Nepalis love dogs, they need to learn how to pick them up gently and treat them with respect, this will help avoid dog bites which, in turn, will help reduce the chances of contracting rabies. Above: Children being taught not to approach a bitch with her litter. For more news and photos about HART's Education Programmes, please see our 'News' page. |
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