DAR’s mission is to make Dharamsala a better place for humans and animals… by working to humanely control population, eradicate rabies, conduct rescue, adoption and education programs.

How do we do this?

To properly run a program like this, scientists and researchers from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and the International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) have concluded the following:

  • To stabilize population growth: 90% sterilization must occur
    To eradicate rabies 70% vaccination must occur.
    You must work section by section.

In order to achieve these targets, annual population surveys must be done to determine the number of stray dogs. This helps manage the data and allow us to monitor and evaluate our program.

Our Surveys and Data

December 2017, DAR conducted its first population survey using a method based on suggestion by ICAM.

Findings: In Dharamsala Town (Section 25) there are approximately 1000 stray roaming dogs. In the surrounding areas the numbers were inconclusive due the rural setting and varying altitude.

December 2018, DAR conducted a second survey focusing on the areas outside of Dharamsala town, using a capture – vaccinate – recapture plan based on the Lincoln Peterson Method. Hunter Dowds, a pre-med student from Lawrence University, received a grant to help us with this program, including  vaccinating  347 dogs.

Map of Dharamshala

Lower Dharamsala in 25 Sections

 

The above map is the area that DAR is currently working on. The green areas were randomly selected (by our scientific consultants) as the first 6 areas to target. There is an estimated 4200 dogs in the entire mapped section and 706 in the 6 green areas per our survey results.

For 2019 – we were originally focusing our ABC program for the entire mapped area but are now working just the green areas so we can hit the 90% and 70% and working section by section per requirement.

Once the green areas are complete, we will then be moving on to the Dharamshala Town area.
In 2019 so far, (Jan – Nov) we have sterilized 744 dogs and vaccinated 927 dogs.
Of the green areas, Cricket Stadium is at 70% sterilization and vaccination, and Upper Barol is done!

December 2019, we will be once again run our population survey and vaccination camp for both the entire area.

To conclude, if you are in Dharamsala and have a dog that needs sterilization or vaccination outside of the green areas, we do not have funding for it. The donations we collect are to fund our programs. Meaning, we will require a donation to cover the cost of the service if the need is outside of our targeted areas.

To cover the cost of the sterilizations, please see the below for donations needed per weight of the dog:

10kg = rs1000
15kg = rs1500
20kg = rs2000

The bigger the dog, the more suture we need, hence the uptick in cost. These amounts only reflect medicine and supplies needed. It does not include veterinarian or vet assistant salaries, nor fuel for our vehicle or salaries for dog catchers.

Please note, WE WILL RESCUE sick and injured dogs in all of the mapped area and above if Tibet Charity is not available. We will just not catch and release for sterilization and vaccination.

DAR recently won an award for this work from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and Merck Animal Health. Our Founder was sent to the 3rd Annual Dog Population Management Conference in Mombasa, Kenya by one of our grantors to continue this work. In Dharamsala, DAR was ask to speak at the Worlds Rabies Day meeting help by the Chief Medical Officer of Kangra.

We are excited about our work and making Dharamsala a better place for dogs, and a safer place for humans.

Please let us know if you have any questions. You can contact email us at: info@darescue.org

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