User:Khageshwaar

Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust ( www.hartnepal.org ) is a registered not for profit animal organisation. It was founded in 2010 by Barbara Webb, Jim Pearson and Khageshwaar Sharma Bhattarai.

All co-founders decided to set up HART in Pokhara. Pokhara is 200km away from the capital, Kathmandu. Back then, there were already animal organisations working in the capital city but no animal welfare organisations existed outside the Kathmandu valley.

HART's headquarter is based in Pokhara.

Since its inception, HART has been engaged with Dog Population and Rabies Management. HART's primary programs are: Dog Population Census Neutering of both male and female free-roaming dogs Mass Anti-rabies Vaccinations (MARV) Rescue of homeless animals engaging community Satellite/Mobile Neutering Programs School Education and Public Awareness Programs Low-Cost Clinic

By demonstrating commitment and perseverance with the Dog Population and Rabies Management programs carried out in Pokhara, HART was allowed to build its bases within the premises of District Livestock Services Office (DLSO) in 2012. The DLSO functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Later in the same year, HART expanded its work in Bharatpur following a mutual agreement between the District Livestock Services, Chitwan Office and HART.

The institution now employs 14 paid full-time staff members between the two bases. They consist of Managers, Veterinarians, Communications Officer, Vet Technicians, animal handlers, drivers cum animal handlers and caregivers.

Before any intervention is carried out to address the dog population and rabies management programs, it is vital to estimate the dog population of that particular jurisdiction. A dog census is carried out using a mobile application, designed by Jim Pearson. The app gives the estimated number of dogs within the community where census is carried out.

This enables the HART technical team to design their approach. The Mass Antirabies Vaccination is carried out using the mobile application. This process also enables staff members to identify where the unneutered dogs are. The MARV is carried out each year which also enables the institution to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the neutering program in the vicinity.

The neutering program is carried out by trained veterinary surgeons. Each staff members have their key roles beginning from catching dogs from the community, pre-medicating the patients before undergoing the surgery, surgery and post-surgery follow up.

The dog problem exists throughout the country. In the cities and towns where animal welfare organisations do not exist, the plight of dogs is appalling. There are no guidelines set up in the country to address and solve the Dog Population. As a consequence, the dogs were poisoned with strychnine sulphate. However, now the Supreme Court of Nepal has passed a verdict to protect the animals.

The responsibilities of the government stakeholders are fragmented when it comes to addressing the dog population and rabies management. It is a tricky situation for many non-governmental organisations >NGO's> as to who to collaborate with.

As free-roaming dogs are directly associated with the community, the local authorities (Municipality) steps in to conduct neutering programs but whether or not the local authorities will give continuity to the work or not remains a question. The reason being there is no National Strategic Plan to control or address Dog Population.

HART offers its technical staff, motors equipment and 50% medical supplies and encourages the municipal office to offer 50% supply cost and provide food and accommodation.

Animal welfare is not a pressing concern. There are not animal welfare curriculum in schools. HART conducts school programs carrying three elements, they are a. How to avoid being bitten by a dog b. Rabies Information c. Importance of Neutering

The school program is evaluated, most schools are re-visited after six months to test knowledge retention among the children.

The low-cost clinic offers a great opportunity for many animal owners to get their dogs and cats desexed than dumping litters in the rivers or forest or abandoned in the streets. The long term goal is to develop owner responsibility and that animals are not abandoned due to the cost involved in treating their pets.

HART has already seen a noticeable difference in the areas where it has been working. The institution has succeeded to neuter over 23,000 dogs, vaccinate over 35,000 dogs, rescued and treated nearly 7500 animals in 10 years period. Thousands of animals are now in a better situation than they were a decade ago. We hope that the next 10 years will see even further improvements as Government are now planning to bring National Plan to End Rabies by 2020.