Animal Relief Kodagu (ARK) a registered non-profit organization has just concluded an Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) Camp for Dogs. Details are as below:
Venue: Govt High School, Kadagadal (Madikeri)
Date: 24th Saturday and 25th Sunday, May 2025 (2 days)
Time: 9AM – 2PM
Type of Surgery: Small Incision Surgery via Key-Hole Method
Recovery Period: Within 1- 2 hours
Fee: Nominal for Owners and Free for Street Dogs brought in by the Public or Caught by ASRA
ARK conducted the above camp in collaboration with an animal welfare organization from Bangalore – ASRA (meaning Shelter). Leila Alvares, Kaveri Muthanna, CB Chengappa and Dr KP Aiyappa were actively involved in organizing the same.
Dr. Chetan – highly experienced in this specialized surgery, successfully performed 28 surgeries on the first day and 30 surgeries on the second – totaling 58 ABC’s including the Anti-Rabies Vaccination (plus an additional 5 ARV’s). He ably assisted by Arvind (trained para-vet) and 3 other Attendants/Dog Catchers. Dr KP Aiyappa was on hand to dispense advice, prescriptions & medications to all the owners and was greatly appreciated for the same.
This was Animal Relief Kodagu’s 8th such annual venture over the past few years. Unfortunately, the 2024 camp had to be cancelled due to heavy rains as this would affect the recovery of street dogs. This year too the cyclone was set to play spoilsport…
“However we decided to go ahead with the camp for only Pet owners with an emphasis on Labour Line Pets in an effort to reduce the stray canine population within plantations and surrounding areas” said Leila Alvares, the Founder-President of Animal Relief Kodagu. “Thanks to the wonderful response from plantation owners we were able to conduct a very successful camp which was well received by all. We are indeed very grateful to them for supporting us despite the heavy and continuous rains during this period” she added.”
ARK hopes to resume conducting its annual main camp in Madikeri from next year. These camps are usually for 5-6 days and consist of 2-3 Vets and 6 Dog Catchers/Attenders from a certified NGO. This is done in collaboration with the CMC, Madikeri who contributes some funds towards this effort with the rest from ARK and nominal fees from Pet Owners who avail of this service. Usually 300+ dogs are sterilized and vaccinated during these camps.
Additionally, ARK plans to continue with a smaller effort at the Panchayat level every year. Funds for these smaller events will be mainly from ARK and the rest from Pet Owners.
Dr. Thimmaiah (DD) and Dr. Chidanand (CVO) visited the camp and expressed their happiness at this effort undertaken by Animal Relief Kodagu.
The Board of Animal Relief Kodagu includes Leila Alvares (Founder-President & Managing Trustee and Committee Member – Animal Welfare Board, Kodagu District, Govt of India), CB Chengappa (Secretary), Kaveri Muthanna (Treasurer).
The following eminent Advisory Members are also part of the Board: Dr. KP Aiyappa (Former Deputy Director – Animal Husbandry), Mrs. Meena Cariappa and Dr. Chidanand (Chief Veterinary Officer).
