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We're Not Only Reducing the Stray Dog Population
in Tiruvannamalai
and Treating Sick and Injured Animals of all Kinds ...
... we're loving them
too. Unless animals feel safe, cared for, and loved, deep
healing will not take place. For the animals that stay with us
but a brief time, it 's the most important blessing we can give.
Our love will stay with them the rest of their
lives ... even in some distant time when someone might be throwing
stones at them, somehow they will weather the unkindness a little
better.
Our shelter provides
five core programs:
ABC (Animal Birth Control) Sterilization and
Anti-rabies Program
This is our primary program. It’s objectives
are to control population and eliminate rabies in the dog population
thereby dramatically reducing rabies deaths in the human population.
Homeless street dogs are captured, sterilized,
held six days or more to convalesce, given anti-rabies injections,
and returned to their original territories.At some point in 2008,
the population will start reducing naturally as the number of
deaths exceeds the number of births. With ongoing “maintenance”,
it will continue to decrease and stabilize at a much lower level.
During the month of December, 2007 there were
111 ABC dogs sterilized and given anti-rabies injections bringing
the total sterilizations to 1080 as of that date. This should
result in a decrease of at least 4,000 puppies born each year.
Most of whom would have suffered and died on the streets. We are
currently proceeding at a rate of 100 to 125 per month.
Our ABC dogs have Arnica and Rescue Remedy (both
homeopathic substances) included
in their drinking water. One facilitates healing and the other
helps overcome the stress of being “captured” and
whisked away to what at first seems a strange and threatening
place.
There have not been many rabies cases in this
area. When we do get a report we send someone to catch the animal
and bring it in for observation. If it does appear to possibly
be rabies we inform the Municipality who sends someone to the
area to alert the nearby residents and tell those at risk to go
for treatment to the Government Hospital. And we immediately send
a shelter team into the area to give all nearby dogs anti-rabies
injections.
Our Clinic:
Our clinic was originally intended to treat
homeless dogs only. Many are brought in having been hit by vehicles,
beaten, and/or with a variety of serious illnesses. Surprisingly,
though, there has been an unanticipated high number of “owner
dogs” brought in for treatment. More than any other shelter
we know.
In addition to our ABC sterilization program,
279 puppies and adult dogs were brought to the clinic In November
and December. That's because we’re now dealing with problems
accumulated over a long period - there were no small animal specialists
within 75 km's of Tiruvannamalai before we opened.
We will treat any small animal in need. We have
treated cats (and sterilized them) monkeys, lambs ,rabbits, squirrels,
and birds. There is a government veterinary hospital that treats
larger animals but if an emergency arises where a large animal
needs care and we are the only ones temporarily available we will,
of course, treat the suffering animal. Our clinic is open seven
days a week. And we provide emergency services 24 hours a day.
All services have, until recently, been free.
We are now charging (modestly) for “owner dogs” that
are pedigrees or mixed western breeds. Around 80 percent of the
“owner dogs” are mixed stray breeds and thus, are
still free. We do not charge for the homeless dogs that have been
taken in to strongly encourage and support their adoption. In
fact, we provide free medical treatment (and family planning)
for life for these adopted street puppies.
Our Hospital:
If required, we provide hospital facilities.
Presently we are quite full and need to expand. We presently have
limited space to accommodate recovering animals that need isolation
and to accommodate animals that must be kept in larger retaining
areas.
Our Sanctuary:
For animals that cannot survive on their own,
we offer sanctuary for the rest of their natural lives. They are
not kept in cages but may freely live out their lives in the compound.
It's a very good life.
Our Hospice:
If an animal is dying, we take it in and give
it intensive, loving care which includes IV’s, pain killers,
antibiotics, and of course, good food.
Our Shelter:
There are two main buildings. One houses a sterile
operating theatre, a modern clinic examination/treatment room,
a small isolation ward, a small dispensary, a reception veranda,
and a large retaining cage.
The other building is 48x18 feet and has three
large retaining cages - each 17 by 11 feet and a fully equipped
kitchen where the “furry ones” meals are prepared
by our dear cook.
We did, in fact, transform a rubbish heap. The
ground is now covered with grass and dotted with plants and fledgling
trees. It’s really quite beautiful. There are three coconut
leaf huts which offer protection against the rain, heat, and sun
and provide “hiding spaces” for our dogs who want
to be alone for a while.
And, of course, much open space where they can
run around, romp, and play. The puppies have two separate areas
- one for older puppies and one for younger ones that is more
contained and protected where they too can play or rest and be
more closely watched. School children painted the walls in their
own inimitable way (looking so colorful) and we encourage children
to come play with the pups.
One of our devoted staff, Shanti, is there to
give love and care to the puppies, and to give additional support
and affection to “resident” animals who are disabled
or old. The staff is working very hard to keep the place spotlessly
clean and hygienic. They, however, know that the main thing is
for them to care for and give love to the animals.
If an animal is distressed - emotionally or
physically - they drop everything and immediately go to it. If
two of the dogs get into a conflict, they immediately go to them,
break it up, and inject soothing loving, vibes. They also have
more than enough time to play with the dogs, and give them special
attention.
When one enters the shelter, though there is
much suffering, you can immediately feel the spaciousness and
joy. Our resident animals are not kept in retaining cages but
run around freely. It’s a real experience to see disabled
dogs that are happy, and playful.
Our Dear Doctors:
We have two staff veterinarians.
Both have post graduate degrees from the Chennai
(Madras) Veterinary College, one of the finest in the land.
Dr. Pushpalata is our senior doctor, and focuses
primarily on the clinic. Dr. Rajasekaran focuses on the ABC Sterilization
Program. They each, however, are involved in both areas We are
blessed to have them, and extremely pleased with both.
We also use several consultant doctors that
offer their advice, gratis. One is a professor at the college
and another, a clinical practitioner in Pune whose specialty is
internal medicine. Another has forty years of clinical experience
with small animals. We have other doctors with whom we consult
from time to time. And several are experienced in alternative
medical treatments.
Our Devoted Staff:
We have seven staff members and a part-time
cook. They’ve been very carefully selected and we are supremely
fortunate to have them because they are all animal lovers, aware
that theirs is simply not a regular job and that they are involved
in lifting suffering.
They know that they should not go around simply
“doing their job”. That they’re around creatures
with whom they have relationships. Creatures that need and want
their affection, caring, and love.
You can experience it right away when you walk
in - our resident dogs are alive and playful. Our disabled dogs
romp with all the others. Sasha, the “apple of our eye”,
only has his two front legs but runs around chasing, being chased,
and tussling with all the puppies. He’s probably “The
Pet” of the shelter.
There truly is spaciousness and joy at our shelter.
And it unfolds from these special people and our two vets. In
that regard, we would be remiss without saying something about
our beloved Vishwa (pictured on our home
page).
He’s young at 25 but beyond his years.
He’s been with us from the very beginning, since we started
building. He’s so deeply committed that it sends out waves
of reassurance. His duties are varied and many. Keeping the staff
going. Being aware of each of the animals in the shelter. Working
day and night. Often coming in the middle of the night to make
sure everything is okay. Working with our daytime people and exhorting
them to be aware, to offer love, to care.
He briefs our nighttime caretakers about special
cases and to make sure the puppies will be okay. He identifies
the disabled dogs, those that might be having a difficult time
emotionally. Making sure that the night staff is alert and ready
to call us if anything potentially serious is happening. He regularly
is out on the streets tracking down some dog who has been reported
as suffering.
There was, on one occasion, a dog who had a
horrible skin condition - no hair, bleeding, and skin wrinkled
like an elephant . It was running loose. It took three days to
catch him. The last day was at night. Vishwa chased him (on foot)
for three hours. Exhausted, sweating profusely, and drenched (it
was raining), he finally caught him..This dog was with us for
two months, and has been released with a full coat, healthy, and
so happy to be free, again
Vishwa is not just our manager, he is a pillar
and a big part of the soul of the shelter. He was deeply involved
in the construction. He fearlessly catches injured monkeys, ferocious
dogs in fact, any animal in need. I think he’ll be pleased
and embarrassed when he reads this.
Our Needs:
We use auto-rickshaws (three wheelers functioning
as taxis) to catch and release the ABC dogs. But we urgently need
a small truck. There’s a small Tata that would be perfect
for us. With the necessary modifications it would cost 270,000
rupees ($7,000US).
We need more hospital facilities, more individual
intensive treatment spaces, several more large retaining cages,
and another isolation area for infectious diseases - about 350,000
rupees ($9,000 US).
We need more outdoor ”in the open”
fenced in areas.
And a computer.
We could use apparatus for delivering gas anesthesia.
A used x-ray machine - portable or otherwise.
We would like to purchase a vehicle to serve
as a “mobile clinic”. We could help animals on the
street - and in the villages. And possibly treat larger animals
that can’t be transported.
We need help to keep everything going. Though
everything is much cheaper in India, our estimated monthly running
costs still approach 140,000 rupees ($3,000 US). There is so much
to do ... and as our activities expand the expenses will increase.
The Future:
Several nearby municipalities have approached
us to give them help with their own ABC Sterilization and Anti-rabies
Programs. One municipality would catch the dogs and transport
them to us for sterilization. Another wanted us to do the catching,
transportation, all of it. We told them we’d help as soon
as we had the Tiruvannamalai dog population solidly under control
which could take up to another year.
This is a time of change in India. We are convinced
there’s a possibility of raising “national awareness”
by example.
It’s difficult being an animal in India.
Work animals are often “worked” too hard. - donkeys
and bullocks carrying excessively heavy loads, for example. Yes,
there are laws protecting them but often not enforced and often
the penalties are not severe enough. .Animals are often jammed
into trucks and taken to illegal slaughter houses. Sick or wounded
animals often do not receive any treatment at all. Indeed, there
are many, many issues.
Concerning the cruelty and neglect of animals
on the street our belief is that there is so much suffering that
it engenders a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness in one
who sees it. It is these feelings that are so heavy to experience
again and again and again, that has caused Indians to “not
see it” - to block it from their awareness.
But in truth, we believe that the Indians are
no different than anyone else. As a matter of fact, they may even
be more sensitive and compassionate. Most - whether they like,
dislike or are indifferent to animals - do not like to see this
kind of suffering.
Our Background and History:
We are located in southern India in a small
town called Tiruvannamalai. "Tiru" ’is a municipality
of 200,000 people and one of the most sacred pilgrimage places
in all of India.
Mount Arunachala is believed to be the very
Heart of Shiva, and has been worshipped for thousands of years.
One of the twentieth century’s greatest saints, Baghavan
Ramana Maharshi, made his way here at age of sixteen - shortly
after attaining enlightenment. And never left. Giving wise counsel
to spiritual seekers from around the world who came here to see
him. He was a tuning fork of sanity and a door to freedom, His
powerful, quiet energy can still be experienced - aspirants of
all levels can descend into themselves in the journey to merge
with their own Hearts.
How strange and paradoxical, that in this sacred
place of Shiva (the Protector of animals) and the home of Ramana
Maharshi (who is known to have adored them) it took almost sixty
years after Ramana's death for circumstances to come together
so as to finally protect the animals he loved so very much.
Only one short year ago (at the time the shelter
opened) it was unfortunately and horribly a common experience
to see suffering dogs - starving yet bloated with worms, awful
skin conditions, broken limbs ... on and on. To see poor helpless
puppies starving and dying.
But there were no vets or a facility to treat
them. If a dog were fortunate, they would be attended by some
caring person who tried to nurse them to health. But usually if
it was injured, or became ill, it just slowly, and all alone,
suffered and died.
There are an estimated 2,500 homeless dogs in
the Tiruvannamalai area. The population was essentially uncontrolled,
except for periodic culling by killing - often brutally done.
In february of 2006. Leslie Robinson, the founder of the shelter,
was visiting Tiru ready to leave for the Himalayas. He heard that
they were going to begin killing the dogs, street by street. He
made phone call after phone call trying to mobilize animal activists
around the country.
He finally reached Maneka Gandhi in Delhi (of
the Gandhi family) perhaps the most effective activist in the
country fighting to lift suffering from the animal realm. It was
together with her and one of her main associates in Chennai -
a lady whom he came to call “Prema the Tigress” of
People for Animals - that they were able to stop the killing.
But with the caveat that an effective birth control program had
to be put in place. Leslie scrapped his plans to go to the Himalayas.
Then it was an incredible struggle - for over
four months - just to try to find a place to rent. Requirements
were high because what was needed was a place that was semi-remote.
At least one that didn’t have next door neighbors. A place
that was not too far outside of town, with some surrounding land.
And electricity and water, of course.
The search was exhausting and deeply discouraging.
At the same time it was necessary to raise money to fund whatever
we did undertake. Yes, there were times when we were simply overwhelmed.
Even with the main institutions helping us -
The Municipality, Ramana Ashram, Ragammal Hospital and even though
we had people out looking, offering a finders fee to anyone who
found a place, we simply could not find a place.
But finally in late June, 2006 - a major breakthrough.
We had been in close contact with the Municipality. The commissioner,
with whom we’d been dealing, grew to respect us. Distrust
was replaced by affection.
Having confidence that we would see this thing
through and would be able to put it together, the Municipality
offered us the use of a beautiful piece of land - 12,000 square
feet at the foot of the sacred mountain, Arunachala. Close to
town. No immediate neighbors. It was simply perfect.
When we were first getting things together,
Karuna Society for Animals & Nature offered to let us use
their Society as a “fiscal umbrella” and we initially
formed as their Tiruvannamalai Branch. That lifted the immediate
need to form our own Trust, and allowed us to concentrate on the
founding, which was a difficult task, indeed. We opened on January
10, 2007 as Karuna’s Tiru Branch. And now operate in our
own Trust as Arunachala Animal Sanctuary & Rescue Shelter.
One no longer sees all the suffering animals.
We’re very grateful that our shelter came together as it
did. And we feel deeply blessed that it has been able to lift
so much of the suffering. But there’s a lot more to do.
There are still many new injuries, and many new illnesses.
There are also the often overloaded bullock
carts. There are the monkeys. The goats. The cats, cows, birds,
and other animals. And there are the difficult conditions of surviving
the hot season and the monsoon. There are the dogs and other animals
in nearby municipalities. There is helping lift national awareness.
And clearly, we could use your help.
Our Founders:
Leslie Robinson
is a very young 71. He was a lover of animals before he began
to walk, bringing dogs he found home to his mother - "Oh
Leslie, not another one." He grew up loving dogs and says
he will certainly die loving dogs.
He was educated at the University of Michigan
- undergraduate and graduate work in business and actuarial mathematics.
He joined the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
as a young man. For a while was the Chief Actuary of the State
of Michigan. Then had a consulting firm which rendered financial
opinions to government.
He met his guru, Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa,
in 1975 and left the business world when he was forty. He traveled
with Swami Muktananda.and spent ten years in his ashrams in both
the U.S. and India. For a period, he managed one of his main ashrams
in the U.S.. He spent four years in the mountains in a small Tibetan
Buddhist Gonpa of one of the elder Rinpoche's of Tibet. In total,
Leslie has lived in India for thirteen years.
Gina Suritsch
was born and grew up in Vienna and entered adult life as an artist,
having attended the Vienna Art College. Gina's spiritual life
began in the late seventies in Findhorn Foundation, a spiritual
community in Scotland. Later in Findhorn, where she spent five
years, she used her background to run a kitchen serving 250.
Gina has worked with kindergardeners and facilitated
workshops and seminars. Later she spent several years in Assisi
(Italy) in Ananda Community ( based on Parahamsa Yogananda teachings)
where she helped start a business for them - making meditation
cushions and printed t-shirts which today is a flourishing venture.
She made her way to India in 1985.
Leslie and Gina would like to Thank:
The Shelter is beautiful. It functions in a
sea of spaciousness and caring. That it came together as it did,
could not have happened without these very
special folks.
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