Education session with local government representatives!

Lalitpur, 15th December, 2017
Animal Nepal organized an education session about Humane Dog Population Management Programme for local government representatives and community people of ward number 23, Lalitpur Metropolitan city.
AN’s Programme Manager Kapil Kafle shared some major works of the organization. He also showed a short video which includes different programme of Animal Nepal such as Humane Dog Population Management and Working Equine Outreach Programme. Similarly, Communication Officer Nirmal Sharma shared some success stories about abandoned and sick dogs which made remarkable recovery after proper treatment along with love.

The team took that opportunity to explain about pet care and overall pressing issues affecting animal welfare in Nepal. We were happy to meet such a wonderful and enthusiastic public representatives. The response from the local government representatives and community member have been very positive, encouraging us to expand our awareness programme.
We would like to thank all the participants for giving us such an opportunity to share some of our work. We are especially grateful for the kind support provided by Mr. Vyukaji Maharjan, chairperson, Mrs. Sanumaya B.K., member and Mr. Harka Bahadur Adhikari, office secretary of the ward. We plan to make our awareness programme the top priority, so a more empathetic and compassionate society develops and are able to give a voice for all our furry buddies.

Asia for Animals coalition, “Changing Human Behaviour” !

Kathmandu , December , 2017
Asia for animals conference is the flagship progrmme of the Asia for Animals coalition, which brings together more than 20 world’s leading animal welfare organizations that share a focus of improving conditions for animals in Asia.
This was the 10th AFA conference taking place for the first time in Kathmandu on 2-5 December 2017. More than 400 participants were actively involved in the conference. Animal professionals, advocates, scientists and scholars from 30 countries/territories, were there networking and sharing their experiences with those leading the way in animal welfare and environmental conservation. The conference was hosted by the Jane Goodall Institute Nepal, the theme of the 2017 Asia for Animals conference was “Changing Human Behaviour.”
The programme boasts an impressive list of international keynotes speakers and run a number of talks and interactive workshops, focusing on understanding human behavior and on ways to influence behavior to bring meaningful change.
It was an opportunity for us to share some exemplary work of the organization. President of Animal Nepal Pramada Shah gave a talk about Mobile Treatment for community dogs with community People. Similarly, Executive Director Uttam Kafle presented about AN’s working equine outreach programme.
The conference was a big platform for change makers to have their voices heard. The conference was also an opportunity for national and international animal welfare activist, working organization and other related stakeholders to share and learn from each other.

Anti-Rabies Vaccination Camp at Fulbari

Lalitpur, 23th November , 2017 – As part of our special vaccination programme, this quarter, our team vaccinated 52 dogs (23 male and 20 female) at Lalitpur Metropolitan city ward no.25 and Karyabinayak Municipality ward no. 2 Fulbari area, Lalitpur district. Our Humane Dog Management Programme was organized with the objective of providing anti rabies vaccination to all the dogs in the above said area.Few days ago,in this area, one dog were rabies suspected.
Animal Nepal Veterinarians Sunil Thapa and Chet Raj Pathak,Communication Officer Nirmal Sharma , vet technician Gautam Khetri, Kushal B.C, dog catcher Mohan Maharjan, and assistant Ramchandra Shrestha worked hard for a full day at the camp.In this camp, District livestock Office Chief Dr. Mogul Prasad Shah and five volunteers were actively involved.
The team was supported by an enthusiastic group of local people. Besides vaccinating 52 dogs from these areas, one cat were vaccinated.
Our vaccination camp was very successful. Animal Nepal would also like to thank the local people of vicinity who were very caring and kind towards animals in their area and were extremely supportive towards our programme. A big thank you to the Humane Dog Management Programme team and especially to the local community for making the programme a huge success.

Improving economic status of people for equine welfare!

Nepalgunj, October , 2017-
Animal Nepal (AN) organized a microcredit training on 29th October 2017 in Nepalgunj, Banke. Ten equine owners from Kasgar community of Nepalgunj were actively participated in the programme.
Microcredit consultant Mr. Kiran Dhakal explained need and importance of microcredit, saving and how it can be a milestone to create foundation for better financial status of equine owners.
The major intention behind this training was to unite people of the community and initiate monthly group saving system.
The brick season in Kathmandu runs for only half a year and the owners return back to Nepalgunj after the end of the brick season. In Nepalgunj most of them spend remaining time of the year in local tea shop. Some of them runs Buggy business in the town but many of them are jobless during the off brick production season. Animal Nepal is aiming to use that leisure time to engage them in microfinance and some other relevant trainings related to welfare of donkeys and mules.
When they take loans or advance money from a middleman or NIKE to run their house during off brick production season, they are forced to work on particular brick factory assigned by their traders where they may have to compromise on wages and other facilities. Thus, AN came up with the concept of microfinance and saving scheme which will lead them towards financial independency in future.
Currently there are 14 member in the ‘equine user group’. Every single member of the group is convinced to save certain amount of money into their joint back account ever month. Animal Nepal supported them with seed money; the organization is committed to provide facilitation in future to run the group. AN’s Programme Manager Kapil Kafle, Volunteer Surendra Deep Karki and trainer Kiran Dhakal facilitated the training.

Training for veterinary students

Lalitpur, October, 2017
Animal Nepal organized a three days training about ‘equine welfare and their management’ for final year veterinary students from Himalayan college of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) during 13 – 15 October 2017.
The training was focus on welfare of working equines, approaches to handle equines and common problems seen among working equines in the context of Nepal.

The main objective of training was to make the vet students familiar with equines, equine welfare, equine handling and commonly seen problems.

On the first day of the training, Dr. Atish Kumar Yadav and Dr. Sajana Thapa introduced Animal Nepal, need and importance to insure welfare of working equines in the context of Nepal and some tips about equine handling.
On the second day, our team including Dr. Atish, Dr. Sajana, vet technicians Santosh Gautam, Tara Budhathoki, Mana Nepali, Prem Rokka and Sijan Pokharel exchanged knowledge and experience related to their field work.
As this was a hands-on training, they got a chance to examine the animals and observe them in close quarters and to participate in every activity.
On the closing day, Animal Nepal’s Executive Director Mr. Uttam Kafle distributed certificate to all participatnts.
Our best wishes to all the participants.

“New day, new hopes, new life!!” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

Lalitpur,
Animal lover Mrs. Leela Bhatt lives in Dhobighat and is truly a dog messiah. While doing her daily rounds, she came across two beautiful dogs: frisky and friendly Seti and reserved, elegant Panda, who, unfortunately had been abandoned by their owner, near Ujyalo FM building, Lalitpur. “Seti” and “Panda” had been waiting for their owner to return not realizing that they had been abandoned. This heartless move had had a deep impact on Panda especially, as he became snappy and aggressive and became a deterrent to society. People’s general reaction was one of spite and fear and would throw stones at them, which did not solve the problem at all. Seeing them in such a state, Mrs. Bhatt immediately contacted Animal Nepal and we tried to coax them to come from their previous home to our office.
We need to realize that dogs are not objects to be abandoned when you get tired of them. It’s incomprehensible how people can raise puppies only to mistreat or abandon them.
Initially, animal lover Mrs Leela Bhatta tried to intervene by giving them food and love that they so sorely needed. After few months, Animal Nepal decided to rescue them. It was not easy, and even though Seti took to our company, Panda took his time and being so cruelly rejected by his owners had become very wary of humans. But, we are happy to share that Panda has gone through immense change and by giving him tender, loving care, he is part of our family and much happier and social. They are best friends with our previous buddies: “Bangi” and “Bobby”.
In our office time, they make themselves comfortable, occasionally coming up to get a pat from any one of us and quietly retreat to their favorite corners. Their lives have turned around for the good and we are glad that from being so aggressive, they have become so loving.
We are looking for loving homes for the both of them, after all, it’s not difficult to give a little love and time to these beautiful species. They are, after all, Man’s best friend!!

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.

Lalitpur,
On 4th August, 2017, Animal Nepal organized an educational programme for the students of Shree Taudaha Rastriya High School, Kirtipur Municipality-15, Taudaha, Kathmandu. Headmaster Sovit Basnet welcomed The Animal Nepal team warmly and guided us to the hall where about 53 students were waiting and wondering what we were about to show them regarding welfare for our furry animals.

AN’s Programme Manager Kapil Kafle shared the work of Animal Nepal with 53 enthusiastic students, and explained about Animal Welfare, pet care and overall pressing issues affecting animals in Nepal. He showed them a short video about the work done by Animal Nepal in the areas of helping dogs and making lives of working equines better. Similarly, Kafle shared some success stories about abandoned and sick dogs, when, given timely treatment along with love, made remarkable recovery. Since animal welfare is an evolving concept in our country, our community and especially, the children need to be educated on this topic, as they are the future and will spread the word of welfare towards animals.

This is our second education programme and we plan to do more, in other educational institutions in the coming days. The response from the school authorities and children have been very positive, encouraging us to expand our awareness programme. We plan to make our awareness programme the top priority, so a more empathetic and compassionate society develops and are able to give a voice for all our furry buddies.
AN’s Communication Officer Nirmal Sharma, Vet Technicians Gautam Khatry and Koushal G.C, Assistant Ramchandra Shrestha were involved in the programme.
We were happy to meet such wonderful and enthusiastic children. We would like to thank Shree Taudaha Rastriya High School’s teachers, staffs and students for giving us this opportunity to share our work of our four legged friends them.

“UNITED WE STAND”

Lalitpur, July, 2017-
An interaction with Brick Kiln Owners and relevant stakeholders from Lalitpur was called on 7th July, 2017, where Animal Nepal talked about the work they have done so far in the field of working equines, animal welfare and most importantly introduced and discussed the Animal Welfare Directive; which states crucial do’s and don’ts and humane treatment for pack and traction animals; endorsed by the government. Positive suggestions were taken from the kiln owners and government representatives also put forward their points. All the suggestions will be taken and a plan made on how to move forward for the implementation of the Directive.

AN President Pramada Shah informed the owners and government officials regarding the Animal Welfare Directive and the responsibility that everyone has towards pack and traction animals. “The implementation of the directive will be a challenging task, however, if we unite, we can ensure that the first directive in the world for working animals is effective.” Shah appealed to all participants.

Executive Officer of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Hari Prasad Dahal, promised to work on endorsing and advertising the Directive. Head of DSLO, Dr. Mogul Prasad Shah, said that there are check points for monitoring of animal transportation in the entry points of the valley; the Transport Standard 2064 requires a degree of animal welfare to be maintained during the transportation of live animals.
Brick Kiln Owner Deepshakti Bynjankar mentioned that animal husbandry is, of course, the priority and responsibility of the owner himself; thus, we should expect their support for the implementation of the Directive.
AN’s Executive Director, Uttam Kafle, explained the Animal Welfare Directive’s challenges and as well as its endless possibilities to improve the lives of owners and animals alike. He also touched upon Animal Nepal’s work related to working animals. According to Kafle, ” there at least 495 equines working in the brick kilns of Lalitpur and AN works to improve the lives of these equines in 14 of these brick kilns.”

AN would like to thank Mr. Hari Prasad Dahal (Executive Officer of LMC), Dr. Mogul Prasad Shah (Head of DSLO) and brick kiln owners of Lalitpur, for accepting our invitation, participating and providing us feedback on welfare issues of working animals. Proud to be part of the process for the welfare of animals.

Vaccination Camp at Bhaisenpati

Lalitpur,
Our Humane Dog Management Programme has been involved in anti-rabies vaccination, CTVT treatment, community education programmes and CNVR programmes to all the dogs. So, on 30th, June, 2017, Animal Nepal team to the field and vaccinated 78 stray dogs in Bhaisenpati area Lalitpur Metropolitan city.
AN program manager Kapil Kafle, Veterinarians Sunil Thapa and Chet Raj Pathak,Communication officer Nirmal Sharma, Vet technician Gautam Khetri, Kushal B.C and Oshin Tamang, dog catcher Mohan Maharjan ,assistant Ram Chandra Shrestha and five volunteers worked hard on a warm sunny day at the camp.
The team was supported by local community people. They were actively coordinating with our team. Besides vaccinating 78 dogs from these areas, some dogs were treated for various skin diseases. Similarly, 8 dogs were picked up for spaying.
Our vaccination camp was very successful. Animal Nepal would also like to thank the local people of bhainsipati who were very caring and kind towards animals in their area and were extremely supportive towards our programme. A big thank you to the Humane Dog Management Programme team and the local community for making the programme a great success.

Education programme for equine owners and handlers

Lalitpur, February 2017

On February 4th 2017, Our dedicated team went to Chhampi Mai Brick kiln to conduct an awareness/education programme for the equine owners and handlers.

In Chhampi Mai Brick kiln, there are 59 working equines. There are four owners and 19 handlers who are taking care of the equines.

When our team went to collect the details concerning the condition of the equines, the handlers were keen to get involved and provide us with information regarding the equines. Animal Nepal Program Manager Kapil Kafle briefed the owners and handlers about taking care and the better treatment of the equines. Senior veterinarian of Equine Outreach Programme, Dr. Atish Yadav talked about primary treatment and general equine health.

Similarly, Dr. Sajana Thapa also gave advice regarding food and nutrition for the hard working equines. Animal Nepal’s para vets Tara Budhathoki, Santosh Gautam and Sijan Pokhrel talked about the importance of the well being of the equines which in turn would lead to more productivity.

Equine owners Kaiyum Shekh and Ajmod Shekh raised important questions related to care of working animals. All the participants: equine handlers/owners were satisfied and looked forward in implementing all the suggestions given to them by our team. They realized that that better treatment and healthier equines would be more beneficial for their work and committed themselves to better care for the equines. This was followed by a medical checkup for all the sick equines and medication was administered where required. Our team was happy to get a positive response from the handlers and owners.

This is the first camp of this season. We started from a kiln having problem and helping them. More than 1000 equines work in brick factories in Kathmandu Valley, carrying bricks under tough conditions. This season Animal Nepal will be focusing on spreading awareness and educating the kiln owners/handlers on the improved treatment for the equines.