A Case Study of Key Ngos in Kerala

Good Practices in Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala A dissertation submitted to the University of Kerala, in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Masters of Social Work Degree Examination

Submitted by

Candidate Code: 91518115006

Exam Code: 91518301

Subject Code: SW 2.4.5

LOYOLA COLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

SREEKARIYAM P.O THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – 695017

UNIVERSITY OF KERALA

2018-2020

DECLARATION

I, Ashwini Prasad, do hereby declare that the dissertation entitled Good Practices in Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala is based on the original work carried out by me and submitted to the University of Kerala during the year 2018- 2020 towards the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree Examination. It has not been submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, fellowship or other similar title of recognition before.

Sreekariyam Ms. Ashwini Prasad Thiruvananthapuram 10/08/2020

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

This is to certify that the work embodied in this dissertation entitled “Good Practices in Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala” has been carried out by Ashwini Prasad, of Semester-IV of Masters of Social Work under my supervision and guidance that is hereby approved for submission.

Dr. Sonny Jose Staff Guide Department of Social Work Loyola College of Social Sciences

Recommended for forwarding to University of Kerala

Dr. Sonny Jose Head of the Department of Social Work Loyola College of Social Sciences

Recommended for forwarding to the University of Kerala

Dr. Saji P Jacob Thiruvananthapuram Principal Thiruvananthapuram Loyola College of Social Sciences Date: 03-08-2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am indebted and grateful to my respected guide Dr. Sonny Jose, Head of the Department of Social Work, Loyola College of Social Sciences for his invaluable guidance, constant encouragement, kind heart and stimulating discussions during the course of this research work. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to all other faculty members of the department, who facilitated in initiating this work and for the help and useful discussions they served me with.

Further I would like to thank my parents, friends, seniors as well as juniors for their constant support and faith laid on me.

ABSTRACT

This research titled “Good Practices in the Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala”, attempts understand the various good practices in rehabilitation activities undertaken by some of the prominent non-governmental organizations, operating in the domain of animal welfare in the state of Kerala. This study being qualitative in nature adopts the multiple case study design in exploring and documenting the activities undertaken by animal rescue and rehabilitation centres - Oneness, Kochi; Humane Society International‟s Kerala Chapter, Save A Life, Trissur, Dhyan Foundation Animal Shelter, Kochi, Street Dog Watch, Trivandrum and People For Animals, Kollam.

The key objective of this research is to gain an understanding of how these leading animal welfare organizations work proficiently and rationally to serve the environment of Kerala in such a way that it eliminates or lessen the burgeoning menace of human-animal conflicts. For the same, the researcher used a semi-structured interview guide with which she had an interaction with the key resource persons from all these organizations. Based on these discussions, this study concludes on the need of creating a society where a „sense of coexistence‟ for a harmonious social life becomes an exigency; and most importantly, to develop within the minds of the people in Kerala, the concept of companion animals, and to educate them so as not to treat stray animals as a menace or a total disruption to their smooth way to life.

Key-words: Rehabilitation, unconfined dog/free ranging urban dogs, human-animal conflicts, good practises, co-existence

CONTENTS

Declaration……………………………………………………………………………………...

Certificate of Approval…………………………………………………………………………

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………

CHAPTERS

1. INTRODUCTION………………………………...……………………………………… 5

1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………… ………

1.2 Background of the Study …………………………………………………………………...

1.3 Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………………..…………

1.4 Relevance and Significance…………………………………………………………………

1.5 Research Questions…………………………………………………………………………

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ………………………………………………………… 9

2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………… ………

2.2 International Literature…………………………….……………………………………….

2.3 Indian Literature……………………………..………..…………………………………… .

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………………17

3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………...

3.2 Title of the

Study…………………………………………………………………………... 3.3

Research

Questions…………………………………………………………………………

3.4 Definition of

Concepts……………………………………………………………………...

3.5 Research Design…………………………………………………………………………….

3.6 Pilot Study…………………………………………………………………………………..

3.7 Sampling Strategy…………………………………………………………………………..

3.8 Data Collection Method and Tool…………………………………………………………..

4. CASE STUDY PRESENTATION…………………………………………………….. 25

4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………… ……....

4.2 Case Presentations………………………………………………………………………...... 5. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION……………..……………………………………….. 41

5.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………… ………

5.2 Discussion……………….………………………………………………………… ……….

6. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………...52

6.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………… ………

6.2 Findings…………………………………………………………………………… ………..

6.3 Suggestions…………... …………………………………………………………………….

6.3 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………..

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………

8. APPENDIX…………………………………………………………………………………..

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction India has always been special of its peculiarities; similarly in the case of freely roaming animals on roads. Here, packs of strays lurk in public parks, guard alleyways, street corners and they keep howling nightly in neighbourhoods and villages. In fact, the people in India are used to the habit of carrying bamboo rods along with them to chase strays away; morning joggers and the bicyclists too fill their pockets with stones to pelt at the chaser strays. Neighbourhood and abandoned animals are the ones usually considered as strays, mostly being neglected. The most populated specie of unconfined animal in India is undoubtedly that of the dogs‟.

There is the happening of this concept called „human-animal conflict‟ all over the world, in various contexts. Human-animal conflicts are quite common in India, but its reasons vary from place to place depending on the kind of interaction that animals and humans share while coexisting. It is widely acclaimed that human-animal conflict is a major issue in the area of conservation - in conserving the essential animality on earth, and also a huge obstacle to the livelihoods of people worldwide. Therefore, it‟s clearly seen that the emerging need of protecting such species, especially the stray animals, is demanding coexistence of mankind with those animal species that are being endangered. Today there are various strategies that prevail to manage the ever existing social concern regarding the inconvenience caused by stray dogs in India, and one of the considerable measures includes the introduction of more methodical Animal Welfare Organizations within the State.

1.2 Background of the Study

The author of the book 'Rescued: What Second-Chance Dogs Teach Us about Living with Purpose, Loving with Abandon, and Finding Joy in the Little Things', Mr Peter Zheutlin says that, people are often very surprised when he tells them that the picture of dogs running on highways and so forth, is not just a third world problem, but something that exists right there in the US. The animal rights/welfare view is that dogs are parts of the community with ties to

local people, having different functions and they should not be seen as a threat but as a integral part of man‟s daily life. Just like the human species, they also deserve first aid and shelter when in distress, which is rather more vital than any Animal Birth Control (ABC) program in the long run.

There are several community based animal birth control programs, locally based, which engage in various activities including free medical care, and inpatient facilities, which can result in a rabies-free, healthy dog population where human and animal interests are equally taken into account. Some of such NGOs and charity groups working in Kerala for the welfare of stray dogs have already been acclaimed noteworthy for their distinctive activities done in association with the missions of rescue and rehabilitation.

1.3 Statement of the Problem There are more than 200 million stray dogs worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The blame can in a way be put on the ever-increasing piles of garbage for such a drastic rise in strays taking place, and can be reiterated that unless the authorities work in tandem to keep the state clean at the ward, block, panchayat, and corporation levels, implementing the Animal Birth Control Programme in isolation will probably yield no lasting results.

Perhaps due to this mismanagement of the animal welfare sector or so, for controlling the conflict between men and animals, there is rampant culling of and cruelty towards stray dogs happening in many places within Kerala. A 2001 law has forbidden the killing of dogs, and this ended up in the stray population getting increased so much, that the officials across the nation had even expressed alarm on the affair. The permanent solution to the said problem never lies in arbitrary culling of such strays.

Besides, there is a need to look at alternatives to animal welfare and rehabilitation. The prime focus of this study is therefore to explore the operations of some of the key NGOs working with animal welfare concerns based on their activities, along with their fundamental rationale behind running the same. Through acknowledging the apparatus of these organizations, an attainable solution for the existing problem of human-animal conflict as stated, could be instituted further more if proven appropriate and acceptable.

1.4 Relevance and Significance

The bond between men and dogs is apparently centuries old, and the mammal is even regarded as man's best friend since ages. But, the increasing incidents of stray dogs menace are not going well with this age-old bond today! Thus, the significance of this study lies in the vision of upbringing a dog-friendly and rabies-free Kerala, where there is more preference given to the ordinary Indian breeds like the Pariah, Vikhan Sheepdog, Combai or the Gaddi Kutta for domesticating. While rescuing dogs can present challenges, rehabilitation and sterilization of stray dogs have led to an increase in the percentage of animal adopting tendency among the people (as of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Dogs are fond of the love from human beings, and love their presence and care in their lives. Once they are abandoned and away from their masters, they turn violent. The dangerous street dogs are the ones who feast on garbage during night.

Constituting a sense of rescuing and rehabilitating street dogs, at least to apprise the experts in the field so as to do timely interventions in the affair of saving those struggling stray dogs, who are harmful both to the society and to their own subsistence has to be regarded as a social responsibility of every Keralite who cares for their state's betterment. It is also essential that the strays are released back into the same vicinity from where they were taken. Otherwise, there are high chances of these animals not being accepted by the pack that reigns in another area, even if it‟s in an adjoining one, thereby ultimately leading to their deaths by starvation.

1.5 Research Questions

General Research Question:

What are types of organisations, the strategies, challenges and good practices employed by NGOs involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of stray dogs in Kerala in order to reduce human-animal conflicts?

Specific Questions:

1. What are the types of organisations involved, and what are the rationale and strategies built into their animal welfare and rehabilitation programs?

2. What are the major activities undertaken by these NGOs in the domain of animal welfare and rehabilitation? 3. What are the challenges faced by the NGOs in animal welfare and rehabilitation? 4. What are the good practices among NGOs working with animal welfare and rehabilitation of stray dogs?

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction Several academic researchers have studied the issue of human-animal conflicts happening in the society, with reference to the possible intervention strategies proposed by certain NGOs based on animal welfare activities; majorly rescue and rehabilitation of stray dogs. The most common type of literature found under these variables of rehabilitation, stray-animals, human- animal conflicts and good practises were case studies of the NGOs.

This human-animal conflict is one severe threat faced by Indians today, that it has turned out quite vivid in its every form, making the context really dangerous; and India cannot afford to ignore the scenario as such. In fact, this deadly conflict between the stray animals, especially dogs and human beings has the potential to turn into a full-blown war. As the human population in India and notably Kerala grows rapidly, the forest cover shrinks, and, humans and animals begin to compete and jostle for the same limited resources -safe space and food.

There are many reasons human-animal conflict, including human population explosion, deteriorating forests, rapid and unplanned urbanisation, and destruction of natural animal corridors and so on. For this big challenge that Kerala deals with today, as a solace and a promising remedy, there are various activities undertaken and good practices put forth by those NGOs that function to rehabilitate and conserve the stray animals across the globe. Humane alternatives to dog culling don‟t only exist – they are also the most effective way to manage dog populations (World Animal Protection).

2.2 International Literature According to the Animal Aid, UK, local authorities are often called upon to „control‟ wild species in towns or city centres, as well as in suburban areas. Concerned residents may demand action while not always understanding the true nature of „pest‟ problems, thus subjecting councils to political and financial pressures. A rushed response to these demands for action can lead to inhumane and ineffective control, breaches of current legislation and wasted funds. A clear and well-informed policy, together with accurate assessments of the impact of these species, shall enable relevant departments to respond effectively. It is believed that we would all rather resort to use humane, non-lethal techniques to solve any problems.

Animal Aid‟s view is that, killing animals just because they cause a nuisance, such as digging up flower beds or creating noise at certain times, for instance, is a disproportionate response and that we ought to find more compassionate ways to live in harmony with the animals with whom we share this world. Of course, humane methods must be practically more effective in dealing with the strays that often come into conflict with people and perceived to be a menace. And while we know that there are risks from stray dog populations including diseases, aggressive behaviour, damage to livestock, we also know that culling is never an answer for permanence. In fact, the misconception that culling is the most effective way of reducing dog populations causes enormous suffering (Ascott, 2012). The research article „Proposal on Solutions to Stray Dog Problem in American Cities‟ by Peijin Lyu of Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, deals with serious public management problems within American cities caused due to the rapid development of cities which has evoked widespread public concern; mainly towards the issue of stray dogs causing much negative impacts on the general city environment and human health. It is also clearly stated that there exists many causes for the stray dog problem, to which strengths and weaknesses of each solution was well analyzed. Some of the available options to deal with stray dogs as mentioned in the write-up include sheltering, vaccinating and neutering, non-governmental rescue actions and programs. With the problem of stray dogs appearing, there are many spontaneous organizations and programs to rescue them, say, the Detroit Dog Rescue (DDR), and the CNR (Collect-Neuter-Return) program of stray dogs. However, according to the current situation, these options cannot effectively solve stray dog problem in (American) cities. Lyu proposed a Five Year Plan w to efficiently solve the stray dog problem.The 2018 published article titled „A Case Study of Cruelty in Dog and its Management‟ by J.A. Bosha, M.T. Tion and J.O. Agbo basically narrates a case report, picturing on an injury inflicted on a particular dog, that strayed from the home for 5 days, and how the wound was later managed. The authors also highlight the threat of increasing animal cruelty all over the world, especially the cruelty which mostly is perpetrated by dog owners themselves and by those in the neighbourhood.

It is said in this, that adequate legislation, education and psychological counselling of people involved in acts of cruelty to animals can be some of the possible approaches to curb violence against animals. The article also says that the intentional as well as unintentional cruelty towards stray dogs by those perpetrators are because those persons, are in some way linked to one form of violence or the other in their own lives. According to the authors, animal cruelty

is clearly a socially unacceptable behaviour that purposefully causes unnecessary pain, suffering, distress and death to an animal. Moreover, not providing adequate food, shelter or water or required veterinary care usually due to ignorance is the most common type of animal cruelty around the world. From studies conducted earlier, it has been acknowledged that some dog owners intentionally withhold food and water, giving rise to animals going out to fend for themselves. Animal cruelty has been linked to variety of crimes including violence against other people, property crimes and drug or disorderly conduct and offenses; in order to establish this statement, there were 50 violent and 50 non-violent studies carried out in this article, so as to determine if and how animal cruelty was associated with their development and behaviour. Each case was statistically and pictorially indicated throughout the feature. „The Coexistence of Humans and Companion Animals in the City Parks of Xanthi: The Views of the Citizens‟ by Paraskevi Karanikola, Evangelos Manolas, Stilianos Tampakis and Thomas Panagopoulos published in the year of 2012, is an academic article that attempts to record through the aid of a structured questionnaire tool, the perception of the citizens of the Xanthi city in Northern Greece regarding companion animals, and their strategies for the issue of animals getting old. From this article, it is known that the families of Greece, owning dogs take them out for a walk in the parks and streets of their respective towns regularly, but then doesn‟t always look into the matter of causing trouble to other citizens who are out as well. The writers had made it clear from their examinations carried out, that in Greece, the law and order is not at all in favour for companion animals, and the stray animals are totally disrespected in that country. The paper also looks into the extent to which the existence of stray and companion animals in parks disturb the people, who visit green areas looking for a rest place, or seeking an outdoor play spot. It is also noted that the majority of the people in Xanthi city preferred for the stray dogs to be collected off the streets, recorded, treated from parasites, vaccinated and sterilized, and later on returned back into the area where they were found at, or make them available for adoption. As a prominent reason to the ever growing issue of stray animals, it is elucidated in this article that, in the movement of mankind from the natural environment to urban cities, they were followed by companion animals like the cats and dogs, who are also adaptable to the urban green. Apart from these general affairs regarding the treatment of stray animals by the Greek people, this study has also given attention to the physical and mental benefits that humans attain from their companionship with animals, like the prevention and recovery as well as the ability of some animals to detect certain diseases in human beings. Through this, it has

also been substantiated that companion animals, like dogs, have the potential to improve the psychological well-being not only of their owners, but also of the people who accompany them. Using self-explanatory figures and illustrations the researchers manage to portray the relationship between stray animals and people in the Xanthi city, the behaviour of citizens who own companion animals like dogs there, and various reasons for the increase in the number of stray animals. „All Creatures Great and Small: New Perspectives on Psychology and Human- Animal Interactions.‟ a 2009 journal article by Sarah Knight and Harold Herzog , mainly depicts the relations between humans and non-human animals, which is stated to be significant, intense, enduring and pervasive. Presented in this are perspectives on social and psychological aspects of human-animal interactions. It then focuses on three broad themes of (1) attitudes toward the use of other species, (2) the effects of relationships with companion animals on human health and wellbeing and (3) ethical and policy implications of man‟s interactions with other species. Overall, this article represents a mix of theory, qualitative and quantitative empirical approaches, review, and policy recommendations on a topic that has been historically neglected by social scientists.

Camilla Pagani, Fransesco Robustelli, and Frank R. Ascione in their „Investigating Animal Abuse: Some Theoretical and Methodological Issues‟ (2010) is targeting towards some basic issues that had throughout been a matter of debate in the field of human-animal studies, namely the meaning and definition of animal abuse, the methods used to investigate it and the kind of relationship existing in-between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. The interconnections among these social problems have been discussed within a theoretical framework which underlines the role of cultures in affecting people‟s attitudes and behaviours towards animals.

Sarah A. Balcom‟s book titled „Legislating A Solution To Animal Shelter Euthanasia: A Case Study of California‟s Controversial SB 1785‟, published in 2000, deals with the 1998 Senate Bill signed by the California‟s then Governor Pete Wilson, which dramatically affected the entire California animal sheltering community. This case study indeed highlighted the consequences of legislation that was crafted based on worse case scenarios and over which there was little collaborative effort. This policy did concern much about companion animals in shelters, and particularly what to do with those unadopted animals; making it a contentious issue. Some of the major humane organizations sometimes found themselves in conflict with

one another because of their euthanasia policies in California, narrates Sarah Balcom in her book.

The Man Who Talks to Dogs: The Story of Randy Grim and His Fight to Save America‟s Abandoned Dogs (2004) by award winning political journalist Melinda Roth is all about Randy Grim, who has turned out to become one of the leading dog saviours of America in the early two thousands. The book interestingly narrates Grim‟s dramatic, inspiring efforts and tells the horrific and heart-warming tales of the stray dogs that he had saved, showing how this growing national health problem, regulated by no federal or local regulations, can no longer be ignored. It is also discussed on how Grim gradually established a stray rescue of his own in St. Louis, an organization absolutely for stray animals rescue and rehabilitation, after many years‟ operational activities carried out in rescuing stray dogs. Towards the end of the book, it has also become quite conspicuous that the protagonist always was subjected to bigotry and bias in the society where he lived.

„Dogtown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption‟ (2010) a book comprising 304 pages, by Stefan Bechtel narrates the different and real life stories of homeless dogs and their caretakers at the Best Friend‟s Animal Society, evoking both joy and the occasional but inevitable heartbreak that accompanies the important work of saving homeless dogs. Concentrating both on the connections among canines and individuals, and on the most recent revelations in animal welfare and conduct, the book highlights 12 of Dogtown‟s most essential cases. Every part tails one dog – regularly viewed as unadoptable by different sanctuaries – from the initial days at Dogtown, through assessment and treatment, to the whether the dog finds an eternal home beyond the shelter. There are also attractive photographs of each dog, tracing its entire journey and charting its progress from beginning to the end. Also Dogtown‟s veterinarians, trainers and expertise who are featured on the show had contributed essays on their most meaningful moments in working with animals.

„Rescue Ink: How Ten Guys Saved Countless Dogs and Cats, Twelve Horses, Five Pigs, One Duck and a Few Turtles‟ (2009) by the self-acclaimed authors of the Rescue Ink band, Joe Panz, Big Ant, Johnny O, Eric, G, Angel, Des, Bruce and Robert, is based on the true stories of these tough and tattooed bikers who also got indulged in animal rescue missions throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Through this book, the Rescue Ink has successfully been

able to break the stereotypical ideologies related to animal rescue with the examples of their own stories. And that itself, the contradiction of expected behaviour is the most engrossing factor of this particular book. Apart from their bitter experiences shared, in saving the lives of many abandoned animals from the streets, this book also deals with the information about how to search for a lost pet, searching for one‟s next forever companion, and rather not supporting the puppy mills and pet stores in the city.

Stephen Mc Garva in his The Rescue at Dead Dog Beach: One Man‟s Quest to Find a Home for the World‟s Forgotten Animals (2014) tries to convey to the world the sufferings of the stray dogs through a really touching way of narration. It also explains the various inhumane treatments that a dog gets to endure in its shelter-less phase of life – brutal and merciless. This book in a way is a powerful, heart-breaking, yet hopeful story of Mc Garva‟s heroic crusade to save the Satos or stray dogs of Puerto Rico after discovering the Dead Dog Beach, a notorious dumping ground for the island‟s unwanted canines, and the harsh disapproval he encountered from the locals.

2.3 Indian Literature Yamini Narayanan in her paper titled “Street dogs at the intersection of colonialism and informality : Subaltern animism” as a post-human critique of Indian cities (2017) argues that colonial bio-politics and informality, co-produce a state of exception for non-human animals in cities, based on the socio-political construct of a human/animal binary. Informality, a carefully produced condition that is exceptional to formal governance and planning, legitimizes the view of animals (and poor humans) as „trespassers‟ in urban spaces. This paper examines street canines in Indian cities, demonstrating their marginalization and eviction at the intersection of colonialism and informality. Also it builds upon „subaltern urbanism‟ that recognizes the agency inherent in marginalized citizens and spaces, to conceptualize subaltern animism as a way to acknowledge animal spaces and citizenship in the city. Subaltern as a concept suggests of “an inferior rank” attributable to the animal. K. Srinivasan, in his article, “The Welfare Episteme: Street Dog Bio-politics in the Anthropocene‟ (2015) has expressed his critical perspectives on non-human futures, and has explored a space of more-than human social change and animal welfare – to map the complexities that arise when these two opposing trajectories come together, ie., when harmful

human ways of life intersect with efforts to ethically improve interactions with non-human others (animals).

“Savage humans and stray dogs: a study in aggression” by Hiranmay Karlekar (2008) talks about the mass slaughter happened, of stray dogs in Bangalore and elsewhere in Karnataka in 2007, which had outraged animal lovers throughout the nation, and the entire gory train of events in detail of the human aggression and the complete range of relations between human and non-human living beings. It also contends that the onslaught had its cultural/psychological roots in a mindset that has evolved in a universe of mortality that humans have created, which excludes animals. Apparently this book would also be an invaluable resource for animal rights activists.

How to deal with the stray dog problem in Kerala: Listen to this dog catcher (2016) by Chinta Mary Anil is an article titled which sheds light into the problem of the state government‟s lack of interest in this issue of stray dogs existing within the society since decades. According to the protagonist of this article, the authorities even today are unwilling to hire professional dog catchers like him with a decent pay being provided; rather the government opt for untrained help in capturing a measly number of strays daily for sterilization purposes. Throughout this article, the writer is reasonably blaming the unknowledgeable standards of the Kerala Government in dealing this severe issue of increasing stray dogs. Alongside, she has also presented the impediments faced by a trained dog catcher in an educated society like that of Kerala‟s, which was truly a contradictory situation.

The journal article titled „In The Name of Animal Welfare: How India‟s National Policy on Stray Dogs Keeps Them on the Streets‟ (2018) by Swarajya has discussed some of the major factors that keep dogs on the streets, and also the attitude of the Indians of preventing themselves from providing a workable and effective solution to the growing menace of strays. Cases of horrifying stray dog attacks on children, happened in various parts of the nation have also been one particular subject of this article. It is therefore, urging the government to meet the country‟s emergency need with regard to amendment in the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001.

Another challenge sighted through this article is that, even though the authorities want to remove stray dogs from the streets, people representing animal welfare organizations insist on carrying out an “unworkable programme” to reduce the remaining conflict between man and mongrel. “Sometimes, any action towards the removal of stray dogs, usually following incidents of dog bites, hits a roadblock of activism, which can be very discouraging, even for genuine animal lovers”, commented Meghna Uniyal, an independent researcher in this article. Further ahead, the national policy of India on stray dogs, rabies and its control was another significant area of discussion that has happened in this article. And then, the pioneering of the 1960 Act of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, by renowned artiste Rukmini Devi Arundale is also mentioned in this article. Other important areas of discussion within this article under the subheadings are, how does wildlife come in direct conflict with hungry and homeless dogs, do NGOs benefit from policies related to stray animals and their implementation, is the ABC programme or the Dog Control Rules,2001, based on WHO guidelines, thoughts on internal reviews of AWBI and the ABC programme done by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, is the ABC programme successful, about the rabies component in the ABC programme and its impact on stray dogs, where do the state governments and central and local authorities step in when it comes to managing street dog populations and suggestions to the policy makers.

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter includes the research methodology chosen for completing the research process, and in this particular section the researcher is outlining the research strategy, the research method, the methods used for data collection, sample selection strategy, approach to data analysis, ethical considerations and the research gaps found in this study. While reviewing the studies the researcher noticed that there are not very many previous studies on this subject - organisations into animal welfare, more specifically on rescue and rehabilitation of unconfined dogs. As such, the proposed research shaped as an entirely new one within the regions of the researcher‟s own State. Hence, the treatment to this research is basically exploratory.

In order to satisfy the objectives of this study, a qualitative research was done. The principle characteristics of qualitative studies are that it is mostly pertinent for small samples, while its results are not countable or quantifiable. The basic advantage of qualitative research, which also constitutes its major difference with quantitative research, is that it offers a complete description and analysis of a research subject, without limiting the scope of the research and the nature of participant‟s responses (Collin & Hussey, 2003).

3.2 Title of the study The title of this dissertation paper is “Good Practices in the Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala”.

3.3 Research Questions

• What are the types and character of organisations engaged in animal welfare and rehabilitation? • What is the rationale and corresponding strategies built into their animal welfare and rehabilitation programs? • What are the major activities undertaken by these organisations in the domain of animal welfare and rehabilitation to satisfy the rationale and strategies in-built?

• What are the challenges faced by the organisations engaged in animal welfare and rehabilitation? • What are the good practices among organisations engaged in animal welfare and rehabilitation of unconfined dogs?

3.4 Definition of Concepts In most of the literature under this study carried out, the following concepts are the ones being used repeatedly:

(i) Rationale

Theoretical: Rationale is nothing else but the basic logical grounds, rather the origin of the thought behind starting such an initiative, and the various actions they (organizations) usually adopt for carrying out efficient performance from each of their ends.

Operational: Organisations involved in activities intended at locating, welfare and rehabilitation of feral creatures (dogs) include both NGOs and INGOs (I for international). There are various types of organizational structures like the Hierarchical Structure (the most popular organizational type), Matrix Structure, Horizontal/Flat Structure, Network Structure, Divisional Structure, Line Organizational Structure and the Team-based Organizational Structure.

(ii) Rationale and Strategies built into the organization‟s welfare and rehabilitation programs

Theoretical: Animal welfare and rehabilitation programs are something that emphasizes on the different safeguarding and precautionary activities done by these organizations for the welfare of unconfined animals. This includes giving shelter to the homeless, providing with adequate medication and food, and also the required care and affection to the traumatized strays.

Operational: welfare and rehabilitation programs refer to those programs/projects covering any or all the activities intended to look into the welfare and rehabilitation of dogs; activities

may include: Locating, Capturing, Neutering, Sheltering, Feeding, Medical treatment, Rehabilitating, Training, Relocating, Voluntary Adoption.

(iii) Major Activities

Theoretical: Major activities can be anything that is purposefully executed within the organizations, or by their crew with an intention of bringing goodness to the unconfined animals on the streets. It can be any little activity or planned measure which eventually focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of homeless or sick animals from the streets of Kerala.

Operational: those functions that are very important becomes the major activities. It can be the key activities to be carried out in any setting, which has the potential to validate that particular project.

(iv) Challenges

Theoretical: challenges are the basic struggles through which these organizations go, in order to fulfil their goals or achieve the set mission. It can be the financial and social obstacles which they come across during the daily functioning process. The lack of cooperation from the public, the sensitivity of the field of intervention in which they perform, other constraints while engaging in the rehabilitation process of the rescued stray animal..etc, are the common types of challenges that similar organizations come through.

Operational: (the situation of being faced with) something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability. Finding a solution to the existing challenge, or problem is what is sought through planned interventions. Challenge is an objection to something as not being true, genuine, correct, or proper or to a person (as a juror) as not being correct, qualified, or approved. While it can be a call or dare for someone to compete in a contest or sport, it can be a difficult task or problem Memorizing the poem was a challenge.

(v) Rationale

Theoretical: In this specific context, „rationale‟ refers to the organisation‟s explanation about how human-animal conflict occur; this understanding of the dynamics of the conflict helps the organisation to plan its interventions.

Operational: It refers to a set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief.

(vi) Good practices

Theoretical: It simply means, those activities and programmes done by the animal welfare organizations and other stray animals rehabilitating centres. Usually, practices like spreading Awareness on Animal Protection, Educating the masses about Animal Rights, Ensuring the healthy state of stray animals, Propagating and Using the practice of Sterilization, Research & Development, Capacity building/Training and Guidance for Animal Welfare, Information & Resources for Policy, and Legislation & Enforcement are carried out in conjunction with extension services, development partners and NGOs as the good practices.

Operational: A good practice is not only a practice that is good, but a practice that has been proven to work well and produce good results, and is therefore recommended as a model. In simple words, good practices and the good and wise things to do.

(vii) Unconfined dogs

Theoretical: Unconfined dogs refer usually to domestic dogs that are wandering at large or are lost on the streets, unconfined. They live in villages as well as in cities, and sometimes have been abandoned by their owners, or may be feral animals that have never been owned by anyone. Street dogs are known in scientific literature as free-ranging urban dogs are unconfined dogs that live in cities. Stray dogs maybe stray purebreds, true mixed-breed dogs, or un-bred landraces such as the Indian Pariah dog (Wikipedia).

Operational: Unconfined dogs for the purpose of the study refers to those feral creatures (dogs) once owned, but been abandoned by their owners, or may be those that have never ever owned

by anyone, but bred on the streets to other free-ranging dogs identified within the geographic area of Kerala OR Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam Townships OR Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi Corporations, and brought into custodial care by organisations engaged in welfare and rehabilitation.

(viii) Human-animal conflicts

Theoretical: Due to various social and environmental changes in society of this modern era, there is no enough space within the reserves for territorial animals to thrive on. It occurs when human population hikes, habitat degradation & fragmentation takes places, creating competition for space and resources. This has apparently forced the animals to move out and venture close to human habitation in search of food. Gradually causing some people to turn restless since they do not find it appealing to have a life of close interaction with animals, and keep aversion towards them. On the other hand, there are also some groups of aggressive strays who randomly attack people on the streets without any evident impulse. Therefore, the negative impacts on human beings and animals from their distraught relationship are what generally termed as human-animal conflicts. “Any interaction between humans and wildlife that results in negative impacts of human social, economic or cultural life, on the conservation of wildlife populations, or on the environment”, is the definition for humananimal conflict given by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Human-animal conflict is therefore a worldwide issue present in urban and provincial landscapes alike.

Operational: Human-animal conflict refers to the haphazard and unintentional encounters occurring between the feral creatures (dogs) never owned, or once owned but abandoned by their owners, in their fight for existence or survival in the struggle to obtain scare resources such as basic necessities of food and living spaces. Often human beings enter into those spaces which are territories - public spaces such as roads, alleys, shopping malls, places of worship, garbage dumps, empty properties etc.

(ix) Coexistence

It implies the theory of sustaining a state of livelihood in which two or more types of species live together while respecting their variances and resolving their conflicts peacefully, rather to

exist together in mutual tolerance. This also means to care for the other creature and being empathetical to it. The term „coexistence‟ came to widespread usage during the Cold War era (1947-1991). Value of coexistence emphasizes on the notion of sharing one‟s environment with every other life existing organism on earth, with the belief that this world is equally meant to every form of life.

The coexistence idea is a framework to recognize how competitor developments can keep up species diversity and stave-off competitive exclusion, even among comparable species residing in ecologically indistinguishable environments. In most of the available literature on the topic of Coexistence, it‟s conceded that conflict resolution something that is closely associated so as to attain the standard of coexistence. Here, in this context, coexistence means to live a life where one accepts stray animals including unconfined dogs, just as the way they are, and treating them with minimum sense of compassion and fellow feeling. Rather than attempting to eradicate their existence from the streets, considering them as one among man‟s fellow being, by respecting their survival in our society – is what „coexistence‟ designates.

3.5 Research Design

For understanding in detail, the prevailing good practises carried out by the associates of animal welfare within the Indian State of Kerala, the researcher opted the strategy of case study; case studies of the key NGOs for the stray dogs in Kerala. And the precise research design that has been used is Descriptive Case Study. And, for researching on the said topic through case study, a well prepared interview guide tool was used to gather information from the selected resource persons. In fact, the effectiveness of such type of a research is heavily based on the skills and abilities, while the outcomes may not be perceived as reliable, because they mostly come from researcher‟s personal judgements and interpretations. Because it is more appropriate for small samples, it is also risky for the results of qualitative research to be perceived as reflecting the opinions of a wider population (Bell, 2005).

3.6 Pilot Study

In this study, the researcher wanted to understand in detail about the operating systems of various well acclaimed animal welfare organizations running in her own state, Kerala. For the

same, six different rescue and rehabilitation centres has been selected; and, an in depth faceto- face interview was conducted with the chief administrators of each organization.

Some of them were the founders themselves while others executed the roles of shelter managers and coordinators of the organization. The process of data collection through the interview method was held at the organizations itself, except Oneness and Save A Life organizations which did not have a specific physical or organizational structure and facilities for functioning their independent rehabilitation centres for the time being. The researcher kept the pre-designed interview guide all handy with herself during the time of interview sessions, and often referred it for an obstacle-free and spontaneous interactive communication.

By visiting the organizations directly - in person, it helped the researcher much in acknowledging the exact system of functioning at the Dhyan Foundation Shelter in Kochi, Street Dog Watch in Kovalam and PFA, Kollam, as she was able to witness the numerous activities carried out by these organizations on a daily basis, and also regarding certain unique good-practises each put through.

3.7 Sampling Strategy

For the purpose of the study, six different rescue and rehabilitation centres were selected and their CEOs were approached for conduct of in-depth face-to-face interviews In the present context, the specific cases selected were six reputed stray dogs rescue and rehabilitation centres rehabilitating unconfined animals in a structured and systematic manner, which were cited by experts to be unique and high-performing organisations spread across various places in Kerala, namely:

• Oneness, Kochi • Humane Society International, Kerala • Save A Life, Trissur • Dhyan Foundation Animal Shelter, Kochi • Street Dog Watch, Thiruvananthapuram • People For Animals, Kollam

3.8 Data Collection method and Tool

Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were undertaken to fulfil the requirements of this study. Usually, in-depth interviews are unstructured, since its ultimate aim is to recognize the participant‟s emotions, feelings, and opinions regarding a specific topic of the study. However in this research, a self-prepared interview guide was used for the purpose of doing an in depth, personal interview with the respondent. Apart from the previously set twenty five indicators under six different thematic areas in the interview guide. In lieu of its qualitative nature, there were also additional questions framed, which evidently contributed towards a much better comprehension of the research topic. The researcher travelled to all these six organizations located in various districts of the State for collecting the needed data for this study. The participants, rather respondents in the interview process were all either the founders themselves, or the managers of different organizations.

CHAPTER 4

CASE PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter deals with the six different case studies that were conducted to study in detail about its organizational structure, as well as other areas of activity oriented performances and the organization‟s rationale in working with animal welfare standards.

The presented studies range from structured hierarchical organizations to horizontal or flat organizational structure. And, this variation is clearly reflected in the ways of their functioning, despite having many common areas of interventions to the central problems of increasing unconfined dogs on the streets of Kerala resulting in the social problem of growing human- animal conflicts.

The cases are presented in a semi-structured manner, based on the research questions of this study, and the questions posed during the interview.

4.2 Case Presentation

CASE STUDY 1

Oneness, Kaloor, Kochi – 682025 Primary Respondent: Ashwini Shanker – Founder and Chief Functionary of the NGO Contact: [email protected]

About: Oneness is a non-profitable charitable trust where the main focus is on rescuing and rehabilitating stray animals in and around the city of Kochi. The NGO established in the year of 2019 is formally named as „Oneness‟, and currently they do not have a permanent shelter home anywhere. “It envisions a complete integration with nature and all forms of life by coexisting in harmony with love and compassion”, said Ashwini Shanker the founder of Oneness.

They strongly believe that the entire Earth is a one-single family; where all forms of life ranging from microbes to insects to plants to animals and to humans are all ONE, and each form being unique and beautiful in its own way, must be preserved, protected and nurtured. And the organization‟s mission statement is to focus towards plant life, animal life and human life, by

aiming to start a movement where awareness at large scale will play a pivotal role in bringing about a change in the present scenario via three specified goals. Firstly to increase the green cover of the state and work towards the preservation of flora and fauna, that in today‟s world can balance the rapid development that our cities and peri-urban areas are subject to. For this, Oneness intends to serve mother earth by activities like planting more trees, making all institutions greener that will instill a sense of ownership and sensitivity to the environment, promoting biodiversity and creating urban forests. Through urban forests a probability of introducing a habitat for wildlife is made possible, and is also an opportunity of rehabilitation for those wild lives used in trade and businesses. It then serves as an aesthetic place of leisure, landscaping and recreation which can be a natural retreat; late is turns selfsustainable within a couple of years and need not require any systematic maintenance.

The second goal is on animal welfare matters, especially to end animal cruelty. In order to make this place a better world for the animals too, Oneness looks forward to build a shelter for both small and large animals that are wounded/injured, abused, diseased, handicapped and abandoned. They intend to propagate and achieve balance, peace and harmony amongst people and animals - both wild and domesticated. The founder stated that it is imperative that this harmony be achieved in order to attain a shift in societal values to imbibe and inculcate in the society (a) acceptance and respect towards all beings, (b) a sense of responsibility towards fellow beings inclusive of animals, and (c) sensitivity to all forms of life, whether own or stray.

And the third goal is to support NGOs that are involved with human welfare, create awareness campaigns and also reach out to volunteers who can serve the humans in need.

History: Since the founder had instincts of ever growing compassion and colossal concern for animals from her childhood onwards, inherited from her father who was a zoophilist, she later on happened to pursue a graduation in Biotechnology, after which she started her career as an animal welfare officer with one of the PAN India groups, and it was quite apparent of her long time passion of establishing a trust, rather a society for protecting animals. Her father by profession was dermatologist, though he used to take efforts on rehabilitating those abandoned lepers, beggars, and strays, with a standpoint in life of treating every creature on earth as equal, and served all forms of life as one. In fact, the motto of Oneness has been adapted from her father‟s virtue of „Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‟ from the Maha Upanishad – meaning “the world is one family”. However, during the 2018 Kerala floods, there happened to be a massive deserting of domesticated animals especially dogs, cats and cows within the state. Knowing

that this was her call, responding to the catastrophe Mrs. Ashwini decided to go after her heart by quitting her career and PhD in order to register her NGO Oneness so as to function on a full- fledged mode.

Activities : The main activities undertaken by Oneness varies from rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned, handicapped & injured animals, carrying out adoption drives, conducting awareness campaigns, practicing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programs/Sterilization – Vasectomy for males and Tubectomy for females, and other vaccination drives. Since its founding an year ago, Oneness has managed to successfully administer a total of 3 adoption drives with 300 above adoptions taken place, 1 vaccination drive, a „Water Bowl Challenge‟ (for quenching the thirst of birds during this intolerable global warming) and an aggregate of 300 rescues done.

For the adoption drives, Oneness follows strict pet rules and instills in the minds of the people the significance of Indie dogs over foreign breeds, and promotes only the adoption of native Indian dogs primarily. They are also very stringent on demotivating the practice of breeding for the sake of commercial purpose.

All those rescued stray dogs with any sort of injuries or wounds, will be taken good care of with appropriate medical aid along with necessary vaccinations. Once they are completely treated and is ensured of regaining normalcy (both physical & mental health wise), they would be shifted to various trustworthy foster homes until they get adopted by someone or, when they are fit enough to be released back into the environment from where they usually get energized. The other groups of handicapped stray dogs, who are either fully or partially paralyzed, are sent to Thangam Memorial Trust at Tirupur in Tamil Nadu, which is more equipped and is run by one of the founders close friends.

The medical care and treatment is given to those rescued animals mostly at the „Animal Medical Care‟ located in Angamaly. Giving treatment at private hospital is fundamentally to ensure quality attention being given to the traumatized animals, that they also have the satisfaction of knowing the veterinarians personally, and are also compassionate towards treating stray animals unlike the government paid vets who are often rude to the strays and recklessly handles them.

In case of plant care, the NGO goes on propagating love for the nature, especially amongst the student community by educating them at school levels. And for the distressed and abandoned

human lives, it raises possible funds and facilitates other agencies to take care of it by financing them for the activities (as of now).

“India, Green & Wild” is their latest movement to which they are looking forward.

Assets: Oneness is thoroughly supported by the selfless services rendered by a group of zoophilists cum philanthropists coming from different walks of life, who regularly perform as volunteers for the smooth-running of the NGO. For the purpose of reaching out to those strays needing immediate rescue and aid, there is a decent van run across the city premises as the ambulance vehicle.

Challenges:

1. The first major challenge Oneness faces is the escalating cost of its services. It required almost one lakh a month, inclusive of the outlays required for food, surgeries, first aids and other medications, vaccinations, awareness campaigns, adoption drives etc. The income to meet this expenditure of rupees one lakh is a substantial challenge that requires conscientious fundraising techniques.

2. Apart from that, the lack of having a permanent shelter for the rescued animals is another disheartening condition that Oneness is through.

3. Then comes the unnecessary problem of dealing with threats imposed by certain agitated group of people who practice illegal mass slaughtering of stray dogs, cats and other animals for extracting their flesh for tucker.

4. Blaming the trouble they face from human animal conflicts, some people never are willing to accept the facts regarding stray animals psyche on getting violent at times. Therefore, the senseless and harsh attitude of some groups of the population who promote culling and cruelty to animals is always a big challenge for Oneness to deal with.

CASE STUDY 2

Humane Society International India (Kerala Chapter) Primary Respondent: Sally Varma – Coordinator, Farm Animal Outreach Kerala Contact: [email protected]/[email protected] About: The Humane Society International or simply HSI is basically a US based trust that works globally to promote the human-animal bond, rescue and protect dogs and cats, improve farm animals welfare, protect wildlife, promote animal-free testing and research, respond to natural disasters and confront cruelty to animals in all of its forms. HSI is actively functioning in various countries around the world, to be precise in more than 50 countries and growing, with innovative programs that create a more humane society for animals and people alike. It supports programs across countries like Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, USA, Liberia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, UK, Viet Nam, Mauritius and Guatemala; and maintains operative offices in Africa, Australia, Brussels (Europe office), Canada, Costa Rica (Latin America office), India, Mexico, the UK and the USA.

“Our organization has a strong record of programmatic achievements and serves a critical and expanding role in worldwide efforts to reduce animal suffering”, commented Mrs. Sally who gave more detailed information regarding the regular functioning of the organization within Kerala. It is also acknowledged that HSI is one of the few international animal protection organizations that work towards the protection of all animals including animals in laboratories.

Coming to the Indian context, the HSI has only two offices - one operating in Mumbai, Maharashtra and the other in Hyderabad, Telangana, though the operations are all nationwide.

History: HSI is the international division of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) founded in the year of 1991. It gradually expanded their interventions into Central and South America, Africa and Asia. With an ultimate aim of protecting street dogs, responding to disasters, saving wild animals from abuse, protecting marine mammals, fighting factory farming and striving to end toxicity testing on animals, HSI has turned out to become the leading animal advocacy organization seeking humane world for all creatures, including people. And their motto is „Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty‟. They had worked in the early 2017 across certain regions of Kerala (Ponnani, Manjeri, Thenipalam, Tirur, Areekode & Chungathara), with an intention of creating healthy and safe coexistence between dogs and

human beings, in the context of the then existed scrutiny of dog culling that was taking place across Kerala, a punishable offense under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Since then, through the 2018 and 2019 Kerala floods, HSI India plays a crucial role in the protection and rehabilitation of stray dogs in Kerala by clubbing along with other leading animal care organizations here.

Activities: HSI India render services to animals on farms through various campaigns, and helps the stray animals, especially dogs through their innovative „Street Dog Welfare‟ initiative, and responds to those animals in need in the aftermath of disasters and natural calamities. One other major focus of HSI India is to diligently work for stopping animal testing of cosmetics through their „Be Cruelty-free Campaign‟. The organization is thoroughly fighting against the brutality towards millions of farm animals in factory farms, especially the menace of battery caged egg- laying hens, pregnant sows and calves raised for veal, by working hard to reduce their pain and misery. Above all, this group also offers benign solutions to street dog overpopulation in our country, and is strictly against the cruel means like poisoning, culling, electrocution and shooting. Giving training to various government and non-governmental departments, like the State police department, other law authorities and students community is another significant activity of HSI India in Kerala.

HSI also collaborates with other local and international NGOs in order to work for rehabilitating animals and communities impacted by disasters and natural calamities occurring around the world. Over the past two years, HSI India‟s dog management team has managed to sterilize and vaccinate more than 2,700 dogs in the Malappuram district. For highlighting the importance of co-existence with these animals, the team initiated a community engagement program there, and was supported greatly by the local administrations like Grama Panchayats.

Assets: The greatest boon of HSI India is its expansive strength of well trained volunteers, along with various other office bearers.

Challenges: The concept of „companion animal‟ in a state like Kerala is absolutely scarce, and 90% of the animal domesticators here are embracing the convention of „watchdog‟ system. This itself poses the biggest challenge for HSI while conducting adoption drives, that the wrong attitude out of biased understandings of the people had already created a stigma of growing dogs and other animals in separate cages or kennels which restrain it‟s freedom of life. In fact, the organization insists on an exigency to reimagine the concept of animal welfare which is

more of ultimate liberty for every animal. Another challenge that HSI encounters is the erroneous way of guidance Kerala parents giving to their little ones, which is creating fear and hatred within children‟s hearts towards stray dogs. “Along with this, the mass media has also done its part really well in contributing to the propaganda of stray animals being dangerous and risky”, said Mrs. Sally.

CASE STUDY 3

Save a Life, Trissur Primary Respondent: Sally Varma – Founder and Chief Functionary of the NGO Contact: savealife.thrissur@gmail.com

About: It is a community organization working on the lines of online networking platforms, basically through Facebook with an ultimate aim of converting the State into a cruelty free one with sustainable and conservative steps taken to protect and rehabilitate stray animals from being attacked by human beings. Save a Life is also very keen in rendering maximum services to carry out dignified sterilization process on as many mature stray dogs as possible, along with spreading awareness of the need for sterilizing stray dogs, with the intention to reduce the increasing stray dog population in the cities of Kerala.

This acclaimed non-profit organization-cum-animal shelter is devoted to save the lives of unwanted and abandoned animals within the boundaries of Trissur district. The runners of Save a Life - Mrs. Sally Varma, her husband Mr. Kannan Narayanan and their little son Master Niranjan does everything possible to give a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for the rescued stray dogs, with much love and care that they require, until they find a forever home for these helpless animals. “You can‟t save them all, but you can definitely help us try”, were the words of Mrs. Sally when asked about the organization‟s mission.

For Save a Life, there is no exclusive shelter home/building for rehabilitating those rescued strays, rather they have been occupying maximum of them in the compound of their own house. But this has got its limitations, thus they resorted to other trust worthy animal rehab centers and rescue homes in Kerala until they manage to find a permanent foster care for these helpless- poor animals.

History: Save a Life was started in 2014, and the respondent who‟s the founder of this group says that, “We are a husband and wife couple with a crazy love for animals. Maybe we cannot do a lot, but that will never stop us from trying and thus we have started this „Save a Life‟ cause in Trissur”. Raised in a family that cared enormously for animal welfare, it was quite natural that Mrs. Sally grew out to become an ardent animal lover who was throughout her life very passionate about saving the abandoned and sick stray dogs. Doing the best possible deed from her side to benefit at least her own district from this surging menace of stray dogs population was the basic thought which led her towards the launching of this online organization.

Activities: Like most other animal rescue operators, Save a Life also does the rescue operations with a generous motive of saving those rejected and jilted dogs, and sometimes other pet animals also from the streets. Because it‟s basically an online mission, there is no exclusive shelter home established under this organization‟s name as a shelter home or so; therefore most of the rescued strays are rehabilitated in their houses itself (of Sally‟s as well as of the volunteer‟s).

They often conduct awareness campaigns on the need for adopting Indie dogs over the natural tendency of our men to go behind fancy and expensive breed dogs of foreign origin. Along with spreading the word, they also conduct adoption drives in which they stringently look into and crosscheck the mindset of the adopter, that he/she seriously values the animal‟s healthy life and take efforts to provide it with a quality one filled with appropriate affection and care or not. They also spread the thought of having street dogs essentially taken care of by the human tenants of this earth, by encouraging a healthy and sustainable livelihood of the strays for retaining the existence of their species of local origin around us.

Assets: Being an organization which is fully confined to the online social media realms for its regular functioning, Save a Life is very much needing adequate volunteer services from those who willingly come forward to work with the group in order to achieve their goal of such empathetic values. The founders are fortunately acquainted to several like-minded humans who act as volunteers in association with this organization and render services in moving around to catch the affected stray dogs, provide them with necessary medical treatment, and later rehabilitate them usually in their own places itself or with some other known foster cares, until the animal gets adopted by some kind hearted person.

Most of the rescue activities are all done with the help of private vehicles of the volunteers and whoever else involved in the process.

Challenges: According to Save a Life, inaccurate parenting is the chief problem, generating all the misconceptions related to the street dog issue in a society like that of Kerala‟s. Here people are much fond of breeding the foreign dogs and having it commercialized later, which is further causing another threat to the society of having these costly and fancy breeds domesticated so as to expose their financial capacity, and they adamantly believe that this gesture defines their social status; which in turn is posing a severe challenge against the helpless Indian stray dogs. Unfortunately, the parents in Kerala are instilling fear and hatred for street dogs, within their children from a very young age onwards, that they gradually grow up to persons with strong aversion to the strays and such persons would never get convinced of pondering to adopt an abandoned and helpless animal from their nearby streets.

Another big issue they face is the inability to reach out to all the wounded animals that they get informed of at the same time. The aggregate estimate of the accidents occurring on our roads are rapidly going up day by day, and one such factor contributing to these grave incidents is the reckless motions of the stray dogs on roads where their free-wandering is highly restricted and dangerous.

CASE STUDY 4

Dhyan Foundation Animal Shelter, Koovapadam, Mattancherry - 682002 Primary Respondent: Ushma Shah – Volunteer cum Shelter Manager, Contact: [email protected]

About: Dhyan Foundation is a member of the State Advisory Board for the Animal Welfare and is a member of the newly constituted Goa Animal Welfare Board to advise Goa Government on animal welfare in the State. Service and charity is the cornerstone of this organization, and animal welfare forms an integral part of the many initiatives that they have undertaken to help aid creation. The volunteers rescue, rehabilitate and take complete care of any animal in need, and have started dedicated programs for cows, dogs, monkeys and birds all over the nation. Dhyan Foundation is run solely by volunteers who are engaged day in and day out helping the creation, without any remuneration for their services, and quite interestingly

these volunteers are those who hail from all walks of life – business magnates, journalists, doctors, designers, lawyers, scholars, home-makers and students, to name a few.

History: It was formed in 2002, with an aim of spreading and sharing the essence of the original and pristine form of Yog, by Yogi Ashwini who is the guiding light of Dhyan Foundation India. He, being a person who‟s ethics of life are firmly rooted in the Indian culture of ahimsa and peaceful co-existence of all living organisms, was always keen to start up something like a society, or a trust through which he could proliferate the thoughts of peaceful coexistence and tendencies to do welfare activities for the deprived, especially for the animals among the Indian masses. He had a special disquiet about the animal welfare here, and that‟s exactly what the driving force behind the establishment of this animal shelter home under Dhyan Foundation is. He believed that all energy rather deity of all the existing religions in India by mythology has got some connection with an animal, that it symbolizes the magnitude of animals on planet earth. This belief of Yogi Ashwini gradually paved way to the ideology of making every person realize and work towards the necessity of protecting animals and treating them with love and care.

Activities: This organization today is a global phenomenon with centers all across the world, with services of varied disciplines, and the one in Kerala - with animal shelter home run in the Kochi district. Besides the animal welfare activities done, Dhyan Foundation also teaches the ancient sciences of spiritual healing, Vedic chants, Vedic martial arts, Vedic secrets of Havens for interaction with divine energies, other charitable activities including free distribution of food at multiple places, saving wildlife, running schools for the underprivileged, sponsoring higher education, generating employment, and spreading awareness about environmental issues.

The major animal welfare activities done in Kochi ranges from feeding a stray animal to rehabilitating an abandoned and injured one from the streets. They also have initiatives such as Save a Cow; Help a Monkey and Befriend a Bird. Other significant services carried out by the organization for the welfare of animals are legal aid against cruelty cases, conducting adoption drives in every 2 months & awareness programs, rescue and rehabilitation programs during which necessary vaccines are given to the animals, and sterilization of the stray dogs. An aggregate of 400 plus rescues within the Ernakulam district has been done by Dhyan till date. And the shelter is packed with a population of 80 animals inclusive of a few cows along with their calves, pregnant dogs, abused & diseased dogs, puppies and cats.

„Open Mic Program‟ was a campaign that was organized by the children from the neighborhood of Dhyan Animal Shelter in Mattancherry, Kochi with an intention of raising possible funds and contributing the same to the NGO, for the treatment of the rescued animals occupied in the shelter home. This indeed was an impact of the outreaches done by the volunteers to the younger generations of the society, through which they managed to influence many groups of children with the noble thought of rescuing and rehabilitating a stray animal from our immediate surroundings.

Assets: The basic fund generation for the overall expenditures of the NGO is from the Jain community that exists in various parts of the world. Jain families from India and overseas drop in contributions in the form of money as well as other charity gifts. Through such means, the shelter home has received a car and a van (for the cows), which they currently use as animal ambulance.

Apart from these material assets of Dhyan, they are also fortunate enough to maintain a powerful and skilled set of human resources; headed by Yogi Ashwini, the founder, followed by a Chapter head of the Kochi Animal Shelter, the full time volunteers turned shelter managers (2), other two care-takers, a para-vet and anytime available friends-cumveterinarians. All of this dedicated working team is hence comprised of specific appointments and general volunteers being the fundamental strength of the NGO because of whom a smooth functioning of this venture is made possible.

Another prominent asset to Dhyan Shelter Home is the Kochi Tirumala Devaswom Board which runs the Jain Temple in Kochi that they regularly feed the rescued animals in the shelter home with temple food according to their convenience. This generous act of Devaswom lessens the burden of the shelter managers during crisis situations in feeding all the animals sumptuously.

Challenges: The inhumane attitude of the people within the society is one major challenge that this team is encountering with, and has identified as a difficult challenge to overcome. Not all humans are equally compassionate towards other living organisms including the neither plant nor animal species which are supposed to be taken care of by us. Therefore, during awareness campaigns the expected result is not so favorable despite the successful ones done on children‟s groups.

The limited plot area of the shelter home is a big constraint for a healthy and peaceful management of the organization. The current location of the shelter is in an affluent area of the district, surrounded by residences where the inhabitants at times find the frenzied barking of so many dogs a huge nuisance. The annoyed neighbors even pelt at the dogs with stones thrown towards the shelter compound in order to hurt and shut the mouths of the dogs.

Then comes the issue of dog parasites/fleas which has now mushroomed into the walls of the shelter home building also. The common parasites like the blacklegged, lone star ticks and other dog ticks are too much on the skin of these rescued dogs that are being rehabilitated in the shelter. Hence, to balance the dermatitis of all these animals within the congested atmosphere of the shelter premises is apparent to be an onerous task for the caretakers.

The sudden upsurge in the abandoning of home dogs during natural calamities like floods is another challenge for Dhyan group. There is whole lot of differences between the overall behavioral pattern of stray and domesticated dogs. Sudden exposure to the tough world makes the tamed animals go panic and act odd, ending them up in accidents and even getting abused.

The still remaining culling trends among some groups of people who slaughter stray dogs for the sake of illegal commercialization of its meat as food is yet another serious issue dealt with the flawless operation of the shelter home

Finally, the all-time relevant challenge of meeting a monthly expenditure of rupees 6 lakh is prevalent.

CASE STUDY 5

Street Dog Watch, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram Primary Respondent: Mary Muscroft – Founder and Chief Functionary of the NGO, Contact: [email protected]

About: Street Dog Watch is basically an NGO that runs independent shelter home for those abandoned, stranded and injured stray dogs which they rescue from the roads within Thiruvananthapuram district. It is run by a foreign couple Mrs. Mary Muscroft and her husband Mr. Steve Muscroft, since 11 years now, and has got the recognition from the Animal Welfare Board, Kerala. This organization is wholly dedicated to the rehabilitation and population management of street dogs. They don‟t get any help from the authority usually, and is solely

depended on the private donations that pour in from their friends and other acquaintances of various resources.

The organization has a prime motto called “Mission Rabies”; since they look forth to create a better environment for the communities out there where they can survive fearlessly from getting infected of diseases from the animals on street. “The most feasible way of rehabilitation that can be provided to the stray dogs of Kerala is to convert the streets safer for their survival in a more healthy and happy atmosphere”, said Mrs. Muscroft when asked about the strategies they would suggest for a better solution for the all-time menace of human-animal conflicts.

History: The journey of Street Dog Watch organization in Kovalam, Trivandrum dates back to the year of 2008, during when it actually got established as an animal shelter, rather an NGO primarily for the abandoned and injured stray dogs in the State capital. A tourist couple who visited India from the UK for an expedition, after getting bored of Goa happened to reach Kovalam, and witnessed the struggles and much neglect faced by the stray dogs over there. Through immediate research made by the couple, they did realize that there were huge opportunities in Kerala for helping out the local animal sanctuary. So they expanded their tour package for two more weeks and suddenly they had deep concerns for the suffering animals and then thoughts generated within them to pioneer something here for their betterment; this resulted in the establishment of Street Dog Watch organization in 2009.

Activities: Being a stray dog charity based in Kovalam South India, their major areas of focus are to sterilize the strays in order to keep their population manageable, to adopt strays so as to rehome abandoned pups, to vaccinate the strays to prevent the spread of rabies, to educate the locals to ensure that they understand how to lead a life in absolute harmony with the stray dog population, and then to rescue the sick or injured dogs for preventing them from suffering.

While focusing on the welfare of the stray dogs, Mr. and Mrs. Muscroft was equally worried about the health conditions of the community there, that they‟d turned very keen in ensuring the people are free from rabies or any sort of such zoonotic diseases; for which they conduct an annual rabies campaign. Along with this they also have an annual survey being conducted at the Kovalam beach residences to track the effectiveness of the sterilization they carry out in association with the ABC Program on the strays in the locality. The sterilization activity done was of such great impact that the total population of the stray dogs has once got rapidly shot down from 600 plus to 79 in a particular year. This made it apparently easier for the couple to

prove the sequel of their activities performed to the local people of Kovalam. A monthly fund raising campaign is also conducted regularly by this team, which is very significant in attaining maximum contributions for an untroubled performance of the NGO.

Assets: Other than the villa‟s plot where the couple resides, they also maintain another building as shelter home for the strays where they take up injured dogs for treatment purposes. Hence, it‟s more like a veterinary clinic under the Street Dog Watch where the first aid cases are usually attended, and later the treated animals get rehabilitated.

The remuneration Mrs. Muscroft draws from the music concerts that she puts on at different beach cafeterias and resorts are yet another source of income for a smooth sailing of Street Dog Watch.

Challenges:

According to these British couple, the greatest challenge they face is the conditioned mindset of the people in Kerala, of not being able to adopt a stray/Indie dog, and instead go after those fancy breed dogs. Even if they seek organizations for adopting one, they mostly prefer taming the animal in cage or simply confining its remaining life within the boundaries of a kennel. Sadly they are also biased with gender discrimination, having total aversion to the female dogs.

While Street Dog Watch‟s primary aim is to run the shelter for those dogs that has got injured/handicapped from accidents alone, people simply drop in each and every healthy dog/pup they take note of roaming around in the street. This is becoming too difficult to handle, because they have their limitations as well, especially in terms of financial capacity and infrastructural equipment.

CASE STUDY 6

People For Animals (PFA), Kollam Primary Respondent: Thankachy Harindran – Chief Functionary of the NGO Contact: [email protected]

About: People For Animals is also known simply as PFA which is well acclaimed as the largest animal welfare organization in India with a nationwide network of 26 hospitals, 165 units and 2.5 lakh members. This organization works for rescuing and rehabilitating the sick and needy animals from the streets. The shelter that‟s run in the Kollam district of Kerala basically carries out services like sterilization programs, treatment camps and disaster rescue

missions for stray as well as abandoned animals. Their ultimate mission is to help as many animals in distress as time and resources permit, and to strive towards providing those animals in their care, with loving homes. They are also pretty keen about keeping the stray animal population under control with Animal Birth control (ABC) programmes.

History: PFA, Kollam was formed in December 2003 by a group of like-minded teachers who were mostly retired college professors and quite passionate about animal welfare. They came forward with the plan of establishing this organization by associating with the PAN India animal welfare organization called „People For Animals‟ which was founded by Smt. Maneka Gandhi in the year of 1992, and is the current chairperson. During the time of PFA Kollam chapter‟s inception, there were no any other organizations that stood for animal welfare and animal rights there.

Activities: Other than the rescuing, rehabilitating and sterilization camps done, they also conduct education programs in various schools within the locality as part of spreading awareness on the issue of human-animal conflicts and increasing stray dog population. They have been self-acclaimed to be an anytime service givers in terms of rescuing street dogs and giving first aid to the needy stray animals.

ABC programs, goals to attain a state of „Anti- Rabies District‟, vaccinations to the rescued pups and also to the stray dogs in the locality, mobile veterinary clinic, ambulance services, animal hospital, awareness campaigns, free veterinary camps, animal rights advocacy and pet adoption drives are the main activities that PFA, Kollam keep perpetrating.

Assets: PFA had been regularly working with various other animal welfare and rights organizations such as Humane Society International (HSI) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which they regard as the biggest privilege of theirs.

Challenges: the biggest and all-time difficulty that PFA, Kollam faces is the inability of addressing night calls for rescuing stray animals from faraway places of the Kollam district. And the one another problem that they‟ve been affected with since the time of their launching is the attitudinal problems of the local people.

CHAPTER 5 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

5.1 Introduction

Data analysis being the most crucial part of any research or study basically sums up all the information gathered on the specific topic. It is usually inclusive of interpretations to be made on the studied subject from the researcher‟s attained acknowledgement. According to Le Compte and Schensul, research data analysis is a process used by researchers for reducing data to a story and interpreting it to derive insights. The data analysis process helps in reducing a large chunk of data into smaller fragments, which makes sense. On the other hand, Marshall and Rossman, described data analysis as a messy, ambiguous, and timeconsuming, but a creative and fascinating process through which, a mass of collected data is being brought to order, structure and meaning.

Qualitative studies are all about abstraction; qualitative studies represent everything abstract like describing tastes, experiences, texture, and opinions etc. This type of data is usually generated by way of focus groups, personal interviews, or using open-ended questions in surveys; and in this particular study, it was done through a pre-structured interview guide with which face-to-face direct interviews were held. A fundamental component of guaranteeing the collected information‟s authenticity is the precise and proper examination of the research discoveries.

There are various techniques for analysing the data in qualitative research studies; in this specific instance the researcher attempts to blend the narrative and discourse analysis methods. While Narrative Analysis is the method which is used to analyse the content gathered from various sources like personal interviews, field observation, and surveys, Discourse Analysis as a method is used for analysing the interactions made with people. Nevertheless, this particular approach of coining the narrative and discourse analysis has considered the social context under which or within which the communication between the researcher and respondent takes place. In addition to that, discourse analysis also focuses on the lifestyle and day-to-day environment while deriving any conclusion.

5.2 Analysis

Below given are distinct areas and themes where discussion is carried out substantially for this study - an overall idea about the organizations engaged in the rescue and rehabilitation based on their vision; their ideology and understanding on the increasing human-animal conflict (each organization‟s judgement); various activities undertaken, including special or noteworthy good-practises from the organization‟s end towards rescue and rehabilitation (process); their rationale and strategies maintained in the rescue and rehabilitation process of unconfined dogs, challenges faced, and long term rather permanent solution to this menace as their suggestion.

i. Rationale (About the Organization) One of the NGOs taken was “Oneness”, a non-profitable animal welfare trust ultimately focusing on the „rescue and rehabilitation of strays and abandoned animals from the streets of Kochi‟. Started in the year of 2019, it was legally registered an NGO which work for animal well-being as well as the protection of animal rights. They render their services by intervening in those areas inside the limits of Cochin Corporation, besides the evolving urban agglomerations of the Ernakulum district. All the operations are carried out with the support of a group of like-minded volunteers, who come forward to work in association with them given their good practises and activities, despite being occupied in their own lives one way or the other. In fact, along with the founder of this organization Mrs Ashwini, her friends who are zoophilia enthusiasts are the ones who usually turn up as volunteers to render selfless services in connection with rescue and rehabilitation process. This organisation does not have an organogram in particular. The ultimate motto of Oneness is borrowed from the Maha Upanishad, and is closely connected to the virtue of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” - meaning, „the world is one single family‟. The founder herself explains, how the volunteers firmly believed that every life on earth matters, and how their work thoroughly reflects on our beliefs”.

The next organisation case studied was Humane Society International (HSI), Kerala. It is basically an U.S.-based trust working on a global standard for the promotion of increasing human-animal bond, rescue and protection of dogs and cats, improving farm animals‟ welfare, protection of wildlife, promoting animal free testing and research, responding to natural disasters and confronting cruelty to animals in all of its forms. HSI has been actively functioning in more than 50 countries around globe spanning Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, USA, Liberia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Sri

Lanka, UK, Vietnam, Mauritius and Guatemala. Africa, Australia, Brussels (Europe office), Canada, Costa Rica (Latin America office), India, Mexico, the UK and the USA are the main countries where they do their full-fledged interventions. Though the operations are nationwide in India, HSI has only 2 offices – one each in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The Hyderabad office coordinates and report activities performed in Kerala.

One of HSI‟s major responsibilities is immediate response to those animals affected as the aftermath from disasters and natural calamities, besides diligently campaigning towards shunning the practice of animal testing in cosmetics industry. For this cause, they collaborate with various animal protection stakeholders in different networks, alliances, coalitions and federations.

HSI has a definite administrative structure headed by a President followed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, Senior Vice Presidents, Senior Directors, and the member countries‟ leadership headed by Executive and Managing Directors, followed by state- wise coordinators and volunteers. The respondent of the interview Mrs. Sally is employed herself as the HSI Coordinator to its Kerala chapter.

The third case is „Save A Life‟ animal rescue organization, which works on the lines of online networking platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram since 2014. This particular NGO strives for converting the State into a cruelty-free one with sustainable and conservative steps in the protection and rehabilitation of stray dogs, rather the unconfined urban dogs from being attacked by human beings. At the end of the day, it is appreciated that Save A Life‟s intention is to reduce the increasing stray dog population in the city of Trissur, which is where their realm of operations lie. Similar to Oneness, there‟s no specific organizational structure or anything. It was initiated by Mrs. Sally Varma, who is also the Kerala Coordinator of HSI, and an animal rights activist who launched her own animal protection organization out of a pre-eminent „fellow-feeling‟ towards animals, and a special compassion and concern for dogs. Having no exclusive buildings or own lands for the shelter purpose for the rescued dogs and other animals, the „Save A Life‟ team rehabilitates them within their own house. But this has presented them with limitations forcing them to associate and depend on other trust worthy animal rehab centers and rescue homes in Kerala until they manage to find a permanent foster care for these helpless-poor animals.

Dhyan Foundation Animal Shelter in Kochi the next case belongs to the State Advisory

Board for the Animal Welfare, and is also one of the members in the newly formed Goa Animal Welfare Board. Service and charity being the cornerstone of this foundation, it has developed a special interest on animal welfare activities, that they established one initiative for the same in the Kerala State too. The volunteers rescue, rehabilitate and take complete care of any animal in need, and have started dedicated programs for cows, dogs, monkeys and birds all over the nation. Dhyan Foundation is run unreservedly by volunteers engaging day in and day out helping the organization, without any remuneration hailing from all walks of life. They have volunteers who are business magnates, journalists, doctors, designers, lawyers, scholars, home- makers and students, etc..

Dhyan Foundation is a „spiritual and charitable‟ organisation committed to the cause of aiding creation. Formed in 2002, by students of Yogi Ashwini, Dhyan Foundation today has turned out to become a global phenomenon with centres all across the world. They started this through free distribution of food to the needy and unconfined dogs, which now got expanded, including activities like rescue, rehabilitation, treatment, feeding, relief-camps, ambulance services and more for stray, injured, abandoned, sick, pregnant, orphaned and calamity struck animals in general (cattle, dogs, monkeys, camels, birds, in particular).

The fifth case study on Street Dog Watch at Kovalam, in Thiruvananthapuram district is interestingly a one which was started by a foreign couple in the State. By the name „Street Dog Watch‟ it was registered legally as an NGO, and work towards rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs mainly in and around the Kovalam region. They are also running an independent shelter home for those abandoned, stranded and injured unconfined dogs which they rescue from the roads within Thiruvananthapuram district. Mrs. Mary Muscroft and her husband Mr. Steve Muscroft, since 11 years now, are into this field of animal welfare activities in the capital city of Kerala. Their organization and its services were recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of Kerala, and is understood that this couple through their venture is wholly dedicated into the rehabilitation process of unconfined urban canines and the population management of the same. They don't get any assistance from the authority ordinarily, and is exclusively relied upon the private gifts/donations that pour in from their companions and different associates of various assets.

Converting the streets of Kerala into safer spheres for the survival of native dogs, as well as for the public to peacefully and fearlessly live within a healthier and happier atmosphere, is what Street Dog Watch is pursuing for. Here again, there is no specific organogram or structure of

administration. It is completely based on volunteer support and strength. There are links with private veterinary services in town that this couple is maintaining whenever required.

The final study conducted was on the People For Animals (PFA) Kollam division. The chief functionary of the NGO, Mrs. C. K. Thankachy was the one who responded in the interview process. She‟s the founder president of PFA, Kollam which was started in the year of 2004. PFA is chaired in the national level by Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Member of the Lok Sabha, and has got over 170 chapters whole across the country. This organization basically works for rescuing and rehabilitating the sick and needy animals from the streets.

The shelter that‟s run in the Kollam district of Kerala was pioneered by Mrs. Thankachy as mentioned earlier. It has an independent shelter cum animal hospital for the rescued and rehabilitated unconfined dogs. All the treatments in the hospital are completely free of cost for strays, and other services like ambulance, lab services..etc. are payable. The organization is headed by the Founder President herself and followed by other full-time staffs like the shelter manager, trained dog catchers, veterinarians and volunteers.

Discussion

The researcher gathers the information that each of these organizations‟ case studied has definite vision and mission. Each of them was also engaged in niche areas with definite associates. There were two types of organizations - one type, structured with definite hierarchy (hierarchical organizational structure) and the second type, flat organization (horizontal or flat organizational structure) manned mostly by volunteers. Perhaps, working with animals, especially unconfined dogs require individuals with commitment and compassion, who could actually work without remuneration. The domain of work attracted very little funding on account of its altruistic character. Only those organizations who could recruit volunteers would thrive and do constructive work. These organizations that had volunteers exhibited better reach and more creativity.

ii. Rationale and Strategies built into the Organization‟s Welfare and Rehabilitation Programs

HSI deals every action of theirs very effectively and humanely so as to propagate the concept of companion animals among Keralites. While Oneness‟ rationale for running the organization is because they firmly believe that „all the beings on earth is equal, and man is never superior to any other creature, rather any forms of life. They also substantiated animal care as their most

responsible duty, thus denounced cruelty towards them, and are focusing to spread the thought that man in general should be kind to animals because this would develop humane feelings towards mankind too.

Save A Life kept insisting on their concerns like freedom of animals being deprived for various selfish reasons of the mankind, animal rights being forsaken and so on. When asked about their rationale of functioning, the respondent had a list of incitements based on which they‟ve set their goals. No animal species should be driven to extinction by direct persecution or by further increases in the human population, no animal should be made to suffer pain or distress to provide us with sport, no animal should be subjected to physical or mental suffering for unnecessary experimental purposes, no farm animal should be kept in a deprived environment to provide us with food or produce, no animal should be exploited for its fur, its skin, its ivory or for any other luxury product, no working animal should be forced to carry out heavy duties that cause it stress or pain – these were the major concerns of Save A Life.

Mrs Thankachy, the Founder President of PFA, Kollam chapter said that she was an ardent animal lover since childhood, and always nurtured within herself feelings and compassion for her fellow beings, especially dogs. Her biggest logical basis for starting a shelter cum hospital for the unconfined dogs was because she knew that these are mute, rather speechless beings that unlike human beings are unable to express their feelings and pain in words. Hence it was her all-time predilection to establish a unit which thoroughly works for the betterment and welfare of helpless dogs from the streets.

“Being the voice for the voiceless” – is what she pronounced as her conviction for this undertaking.

All the six organizations, performing in different districts of Kerala, unanimously stated a same very retort to the inquiry regarding the main reason for the social problem of increasing human- animal conflicts in Kerala. The sudden human population growth and expansion, habitat degradation and fragmentation, land use transformation, increasing densities of livestock grazing in protected areas, urbanisation, destruction of natural corridors, were all the common and focal causes of this ever expanding social issue according to all of their impressions.

Discussion

Of all the organizations studied, the researcher could conclude on their certitudes of compassion and fellow feeling, as the basic impetuses that motivated and keep motivating them to establish and work for such an organization which thoroughly exerts for the animal rights and their wellbeing in this world. It just took place in different forms to different personalities in different phases of their lives, and equally influenced each one of them to have strong feelings towards animals, especially unconfined dogs that today they‟ve intentionally ended up in this field, with coherent pursuit.

Because of ever increasing human population and their needs for survival, man always tended to exploit the nature by extracting their needful as well as unnecessary resources. This had caused great damage to the natural corridors and degradation of the wildlife habitat. Eventually human populations overlapped with established wildlife territory and created unhealthy competition for space and resources; and the poor helpless beasts like the dogs gradually happened to reach the communities. It was also proclaimed that despite the fact of losing wildlife habitat, dogs are animals that always lived with close interrelatedness with man.

The researcher clearly understood from the case studies that, all six of them were of the stand that „companion animal‟ is an immediate stipulation to be instigated in the communities of Kerala.

(iii) Major Activities

Oneness did the rescue operations with the help of its volunteer services, which also include some dog catching expertise that is actually used for performing with proficiency. For rehabilitation purpose, as they do not have an established framework or infrastructure, they resort to other NGOs with which they conjoining operate. Other activities are giving medical aid to the injured strays, feeding the unconfined animals, conducting regular adoption drives, rescues in natural calamities, and conducting sterilization and vaccination campaigns for the free ranging urban dogs in Kochi.

Save A Life also do similar activities like rescuing and rehabilitating stray animals, mainly dogs from the streets of Trissur district, providing free medical treatment to the physically

challenged/affected dogs (operations and mutation procedures) and then social media campaigns for spreading the word of adoption.

HSI being an International Non-governmental Organization and the top most one within the country operating in the realm of animal welfare, has been indulged in various innovative activities throughout the globe and ultimately seeks a holistic welfare to the animal species, especially those in close connection with the human beings. The activities carried out under state of Kerala are basically rescue and rehabilitation, awareness campaigns and legal aids for those human-exploited animals, especially dogs and other domesticated animals (cows, hens).

The other three organizations - Dhyan Foundation, PFA and Street Dog Watch also carry out similar activities. Majorly rescue and rehabilitation of unconfined dogs, awareness campaigns to the locals, providing vaccinations to the rescued pups, sterilizing the dogs in the rehabilitation process and conducting adoption drives.

Discussion

From the various studies held, the researcher was able to realize how the different animal welfare organizations in Kerala are basically run based on their routine activities. Most common activities performed; by all the organizations studied are rescue and rehabilitation of unconfined dogs from the streets of their respective domains of operation. Through the action of rehabilitating those rescued stray animals, the organizations are restoring the affected animals to a better and healthy condition (both physically and mentally), or to a normal life through adequate training and support given, sometimes through medical treatment and fundamentally with love and care.

Apart from rehabilitation, they also do common activities like organizing awareness campaigns; adoption drives and also sterilizes and vaccinates maximum unconfined dogs as much as possible.

(iv) Challenges

The conditioned mindset of Keralites, of not being able to adopt a stray/Indie dog, and instead go after those fancy breed dogs, is one of the challenging obstacles to tackle with as of the Street Dog Watch.

“Even if they are willing for adopting a stray, people mostly prefer taming the animal in cage or simply confining its remaining life within the boundaries of a kennel. Sadly they are also

biased with gender discrimination, having total aversion to the female dogs”, said Mrs. Sally from Save A Life.

While Oneness is having a really tough time without having an independent shelter home or rehabilitation center with adequate infrastructural facilities for the rescued dogs, and being forced to rely upon other animal welfare organizations in most of the cases attending, rescue activities are seemingly very difficult and mostly impossible during the night hours for PFA, Kollam team. This leaves a wistful pain in the hearts of the joint forces of PFA.

Discussion

The organizations have some common challenges faced like the attitude of people during the time of adoption drives, mainly like their ideology of caging or confining the dog within a kennel, or their frame of mind which doesn‟t agree with the advised practice of growing the dogs along with them just like any other family member, inside the house itself. And the other big challenge is the discriminative treatment of dogs in terms of their breed and sex. People in Kerala are very commonly inclined to hate Indie breed dogs for no reason, while pointlessly admire the foreign breed dogs. And based on their experiences, this senseless and false understanding of the people, about the local Indie dogs as being inferior to the foreign breeds, is the root cause of such massive proliferation of free-ranging urban dogs on our streets.

Other challenges faced by the organizations like limited infrastructural facilities for rehabilitation and night-time rescue operations varied according to their independent setting or functioning method.

(v) Good Practices

To broach specifically about certain good practices undertaken by these organizations;

There is a routine of doing persuading technique by the HSI, to leading food service providers to go cage-free! They are also vigorously marching towards getting national bans on animal testing of cosmetics passed in India and elsewhere around the globe. Yet again, a special strategic move of the HSI is their routine legal proceedings against the dog meat trade happening in the country (places like Malappuram and Alappuzha in Kerala).

Conducting „capacity development programs for veterinarians, dog catchers and para-vets‟ and „respond to disasters‟, and „eradicating rabies through mass sterilization‟ are some of the other chief good-practices done by HSI.

Oneness‟, as an independent NGO doing various animal welfare activities in the Kochi district, is very keen about „spreading the message of sensitivity to all forms of life‟, whether own or stray. As part of sense of theirs, while conducting adoption drives, Oneness follows „strict pet rules and instills in the minds of the people the significance of Indie dogs‟ over foreign breeds, and promotes only the adoption of native Indian dogs. They are also very stringent on „demotivating the practice of breeding for the sake of commercial purpose.‟

Coming into Dhyan Foundation, a very notable good-practice that they do often is the outreach programs by their volunteers to the younger generations of the society, through which they managed influencing many children‟s groups, regarding the noble thought of rescuing and rehabilitating a stray animal from our immediate surroundings. This has indeed proven to be deriving great impact on the upcoming generation‟s attitude towards animals.

Street Dog Watch‟s animal shelter located on the shore of Kovalam Beach, one of the most attracted tourist destinations in the country, is open to many foreigners and local tourists who are fortunately and naturally animal lovers, that their regular support is being received by the Street Dog Watch team. Due to their successful awareness campaigns conducted in the previous years of operation, today this organization is getting huge acceptance from the local populace of that region and is quite influential in terms of unconfined dogs‟ affairs. They do an annual survey on the residents of Kovalam area in order to track the impact of their rescue missions and other activities like vaccination drives carried out. Through this they are able to procure a clear idea on the attitudinal changes happening in locals, and also look into their suggestions and propositions regarding the stray dogs‟ issue.

PFA Kollam, being part of one of the nation‟s biggest animal welfare organization, does many interesting and utilitarian actions towards the ever existing menace of human-animal conflicts. One such program that they continuously had been doing since their inception is the adoption drive for saving the Indie strays, and conserving our native breeds.

Discussion

Promotion of the human-animal bond, creating a humane and sustainable world for all animals, including people, through education and awareness sessions, advocacy and the promotion of ideas like respect and caring for animals, rescuing abandoned strays, rehabilitating traumatized, diseased, injured and handicapped dogs, carrying out Dog Population Management projects (sterilization campaigns, ABC Programs), providing free vaccinations and other medical treatments to strays, feeding the unconfined dogs on streets, annual surveys to study the changing attitude of locals towards unconfined dogs in their neighbourhood etc. are some of the various activities performed by all these six animal welfare organizations.

Suggestions to resolve increasing Human-animal Conflicts

Oneness, HSI, Dhyan Foundation, Save A Life, Street Dog Watch and PFA unanimously suggested sterilization as the ideal measure to be carried out for reducing the reproduction of more and more unconfined stray dogs on the streets. This, they suggested to reduce the number of aimless dogs going astray on roads, and later on happening to have conflict with humans.

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

6.1 Introduction

“Good Practices in the Rehabilitation of Unconfined Dogs: A Case Study of Key NGOs in Kerala”, is a qualitative research focusing on the various approaches of good practices in the rehabilitation process undertaken by some of the renowned animal welfare organizations running in different parts of Kerala. Using the strategy of multiple case study design, it has well explored the major activities, as well as the overall performance shouldered by those six different animal rescue and rehabilitation centres selected for this study purpose.

As mentioned earlier, the primary aim of this research was to develop a lucid account regarding how these dominant NGOs work sagaciously and sensibly in treating the urban and rural spaces of Kerala by alleviating the ever existing chronic problem of human-animal conflicts.

Based on these discussions, this study concludes on the need of creating a society where a „sense of coexistence‟ for a harmonious social life becomes an exigency; and most importantly, to develop within the minds of the people in Kerala, the concept of „companion animals‟, and to educate them so as not to treat stray animals as a menace or a total disruption to their smooth way to life.

6.2 Findings

• Rationale of the Organisation

Basically there are two types of non governmental organizations working in the department of animal welfare. And the presented studies range from structured hierarchical organizations to horizontal or flat organizational structure. And, this variation is clearly reflected in the ways of their functioning, despite having many common areas of interventions to the central problems of increasing unconfined dogs on the streets of Kerala resulting in the social problem of growing human-animal conflicts.

• Rationale and Strategies built into the organization’s welfare and rehabilitation programs

The most surprising factor discovered from the interactions had with various animal welfare NGOs across Kerala State was that, in the Dhyan Foundation Animal Shelter located at Mattanchery, Kochi they (the shelter managers) are strictly advised to provide only vegetarian food for the rehabilitated dogs and every other animals in the shelter including cows, and cats. This was highly influenced from the Jain culture, which is the prime belief of the founders of this particular foundation. The Jain cuisine, as already known is completely vegan and also excludes underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion etc, to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms; and also to prevent the entire plant getting uprooted and killed. It is practised by Jain ascetics and lays Jains. This has caused ethical dilemma within the mind of Mrs Ushma the chief functionary of the Kochi shelter of Dhyan because she was a person who did not want to be biased or unfair in treating the animals by redefining their intrinsic carnivore traits.

Through veganism, the culture is focusing on nonviolent and peaceful existence by abstaining all kinds of animal products, even by-products like milk, curd and eggs. Ultimately, their goal is to spread love and positivity by advocating “compassion to all beings”.

• Major Activities

Rehabilitation and shelter for injured and abandoned dogs are the most common activities undertaken in all of the animal welfare organizations that were studied through this paper.

It is known that one of the international animal welfare organizations is working with state and local governments, to render legal and other services to the affected animals. Apart from the usual rescue and rehabilitation activities, conducts dog population surveys and then institute humane Animal Birth Control (sterilization) programs. The HSI had been called up by hundreds of people in their India‟s animal rescue helpline to save their beloved pets after rescue boats refused to evacuate animals, during the 2018-19 Kerala floods. With floods and landslides ravaging India‟s favourite holiday destinations such as Kerala, animal rescuers from HSI, had been inundated with distress calls from desperate pet owners who were forced to evacuate without their beloved animals. Sheltered 6000 plus stray/ injured or abandoned bovines, dogs & camels across 30 animal welfare shelters,

Some other activities are providing emergency services for injured and accident-struck animals through our 24-hour ambulance service, getting sponsors for treatment and care for sick animals, including running vaccination and sterilisation drive, and provide funding to other animal welfare NGOs (by IGNO like HSI).

• Challenges

The researcher has learnt from this study that the biggest challenge faced by these organizations and people engaged in animal care activities are the attitudinal problem of the public in Kerala.

The mindsets of the local people are deeply conditioned with so many misconceptions, which is really hard to change.

• Good Practises

Advocating for the expansion of a quality of „coexistence‟ within the young minds of our society, who forms the posterity is one of the many good-practises perpetrated by the different animal welfare organizations. Partnering with other NGOs and animal welfare centres to run vaccination drives, helping people to get involved in the rescue activities, and spreading awareness about adopting strays and taking care of them by considering them as „companion animals‟ are few other notable good-practises that were learnt through this study.

Emergency services for injured and accident-struck animals through the 24*7 available ambulance service, sponsoring the treatment expenditures for sick or traumatized animals, enlisting people towards the needs of animals and the necessity to protect them through awareness campaigns and education programs, and rescuing animals from cruelty done by their owners or breeders, are some of the other significant good-practises carried out in the organizations studied trough this study.

Daily feeding drives for monkeys, unconfined dogs, and bird was yet another good-practise done by one of the organization.

And, in the context of natural calamities like the recent Kerala floods, a well established international animal welfare organization had set up an emergency helpline to co-ordinate animal rescue throughout Kerala via its own rescuers and a network of other Indian animal

protection groups in each district across the State. Pet owners were also using WhatsApp to send photos of their animals and the location of their near-submerged houses so that the rescuers could reach out to the scene to save the stranded pets.

6.3 Suggestions

It is always a better idea to rise the upcoming generations with due considerations for ethics, and sustainability. We need them to understand that animals too have an equal entitlement to this Earth, and that we all have symbiotic co-existence. So it‟s only recommend that we inculcate the values of compassion and kindness to every other being existing in one‟s surrounding, by living a life of mutual love and care to one another. In this way, „coexistence‟ as a life value could be spread among everyone right from the school age, so that individuals would naturally attempt to conserve the fellow creatures including unconfined animals, in Kerala‟s context unconfined dogs. To shun the widespread multiplication of unconfined dogs on the streets, sterilization procedures such as the ABC program would be of notable change. We need to encourage more organisations and support existing organisations which are cash-strapped, but can make significant contribution in preserving the human-animal amity.

6.4 Conclusion

Millions of stray dogs roam on the streets worldwide. Too often, governments deal with this overpopulation of unconfined animals through cruel means such as poisoning, electrocution, culling and shooting. At the same time, there are animal welfare organizations that combat violation or repudiation of internationally set animal rights, and are continuously trying their best to tackle the issue of human-animal conflicts through compassionate and achievable strategic actions.

Dogs are one of the most loyal friends known to mankind. Throughout history, this animal has been revered for the unconditional love it bestows upon its owner. Trusted for having a sixth sense, the dog is an animal which has been given a high status in most cultures and religions. They were domesticated very early on by humans as they were of great help in the survival activities of hunting and guarding.

Ancient Egyptians worshipped the dog and the evidence can be found in the motifs and murals made by them. Ancient texts show that dogs were buried in the family tomb and people would shave their head in mourning. This animal has garnered considerable amount of interest across civilizations and is often associated with the gods. Anubis, an Egyptian deity was a dog and is also found in the Greek culture. Anubis's city is known as Cynopolis. Anubis is a deity which in part is associated with the domestic canine.

Tibetans, whose history intertwines with the Mongolians and spread of Buddhism, also hold the dog in high regard. They believe that dogs are closest to humans in reincarnation and that high lamas often reincarnate as dogs. Dogs are often used as temple guards or good luck charms. They are also highly regarded in the Sumerian culture. Bau, a Sumerian deity is also portrayed as a dog headed goddess of healing and life. In the Vedic culture, many deities are seen with dog companions. For example Indra has a faithful companion in a bitch named Sarama. Then there is also the story of King Dharamraja (Yudhisthir) in the Mahabharata who refused to go to heaven if he had to abandon his faithful dog.

Sadly, today this highly-regarded, four-legged friend is ignored, abused, exploited, abandoned and also murdered to feed ourselves. The condition of street dogs is deplorable especially due to increased urbanisation which poses a lot more hazards for them. Inhuman ways of capturing them, and keeping them in unsanitary conditions with no food or water; hitting them, burning them, starving them, throwing boiling water or oil on them so that they can stay away and not ask for food or to put an end to their barking are just some of the things we as humans have and are putting them through. Not to mention, hit and run cases everyday with not even a glance back to see if the poor animal is dead or alive. The life of a dog reduced to the life of an insect - to be squashed or extinguished any time with no remorse.

The dog has been called loyal for various reasons. These animals can give their life for their master and examples like the famous Hachiko: A Dog Story or his master's voice proves the point. They have guarded us humans for centuries.

CHAPTER 7 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Townsend, S. E., Sumantra, I. P., Bagus, G. N., Brum, E., Cleaveland, S., Crafter, S., ... & Gunata, I. K. (2013). Designing programs for eliminating canine rabies from islands: Bali, Indonesia as a case study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 7(8), e2372.

Bosha, J. A., Tion, M. T., & Agbo, J. O. (2018). A case of cruelty in dog and its management. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3(3), 006-009.

Karanikola, P., Manolas, E., Tampakis, S., & Panagopoulos, T. (2012). The coexistence of humans and companion animals in the city parks of Xanthi: the views of the citizens. Urban Studies Research, 2012.

Knight, S., & Herzog, H. (2009). All creatures great and small: New perspectives on psychology and human–animal interactions. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 451-461.

Pagani, C., Robustelli, F., & Ascione, F. R. (2010). Investigating animal abuse: Some theoretical and methodological issues. Anthrozoös, 23(3), 259-276.

Balcom, S. A. (2000). Legislating a solution to animal shelter euthanasia: a case study of California's controversial SB 1785. Society & Animals, 8(1), 129-150.

Roth, M. (2004). The Man who Talks to Dogs: The Story of Randy Grim and His Fight to Save America's Abandoned Dogs. Macmillan.

Stephen, B, Dogtown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption (2010)

Flaim, D. (2009). Rescue Ink: How Ten Guys Saved Countless Dogs and Cats, Twelve Horses, Five Pigs, One Duck, and a Few Turtles.

McGarva, S., The Rescue at Dead Dog Beach: One Man‟s Quest to Find a Home for the World‟s Forgotten Animals (2014).

Narayanan, Y. (2017). Street dogs at the intersection of colonialism and informality:„Subaltern animism‟as a posthuman critique of Indian cities. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 35(3), 475-494.

Srinivasan, K. (2015). The welfare episteme: Street dog biopolitics in the Anthropocene. Animals in the Anthropocene: Critical perspectives on non-human futures. University Press, Sydney, 201-220.

Karlekar, H. (2008). Savage humans and stray dogs: A study in aggression. SAGE Publications India.

Anil, C. M, How to deal with the stray dog problem in Kerala: Listen to this dog catcher (2016)

Swarajya,, In The Name of Animal Welfare: How India‟s National Policy on Stray Dogs Keeps Them on the Streets (2018). Retrieved from https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/in- thename-of-animal-welfare-how-indias-national-policy-on-stray-dogs-keeps-them-on-the- streets

Urbanik, J., & Morgan, M. (2013). A tale of tails: The place of dog parks in the urban imaginary. Geoforum, 44, 292-302.

Gompper, M. E. (Ed.). (2013). Free-ranging dogs and wildlife conservation. Oxford University Press.

CHAPTER 7 APPENDIX

Interview guide

The interview guide used for the data collection of this study is as follows:

I. About the Organization 1. What is the exact registration name of the organization? 2. When was this established? 3. Explain the organogram of the organization? 4. Where is the exact location of the organization, and the expanding geographical areas of intervention? 5. What is the motto of the organization?

II. About the activities undertaken by the organization 6. Whether seeks any legal actions or not? 7. What all animal rights are followed? 8. If any campaigns and schemes are practised, what are they? 9. How the required fund is raised? 10. What all are the good practices employed (sustainable or conservation steps taken for the stray animals in the society)?

III. Rationale and Strategies 11. What ethical principles and values are followed by the organization? 12. What qualifications are sought in volunteers as well as the full-term staff of the organization? 13. What answer will be given to those worried public, who has got strong aversion and hatred towards the ferocious and attacking strays, causing severe human-animal conflicts in the society ? 14. Are the rescued dogs vaccinated by the organization? 15. Sterilization/Animal Birth Control (ABC) procedures done or not?

IV. Theory behind the increasing human-animal conflict 16. What according to the organization are the various reasons for stray dogs to increase?

17. How to change the mind-set of the Kerala people who neglect and hurt strays?

V. Challenges Faced 18. What is the overall monthly expenditure in running the organization? 19. What are the general public opinion regarding the organization‟s activities – including their complaints, agony and disruptive attitude towards the action of protecting stray dogs?

VI. Rescue and Rehabilitation process 20. What alternatives for culling can be suggested? 21. Where are the rescued strays sheltered? 22. What is done to the disabled and abused strays? 23. Does the organization in any way promote adoption?

VII. Long term and permanent solution to this menace 24. Suggest an effective measure to resolve the major hassle of multiplying stray dogs in the streets of Kerala? 25. How can an ordinary person be involved in the process of recuing stray animals from being abused in any form?

Exhibit (i) an abandoned Dachshund affected with chronic Epitheliotropic Lymphoma – type of skin cancer at Dhyan Foundation Shelter Home, Kochi

Exhibit (ii) Dhyan Foundation Shelter Home, Kochi

Exhibit (iii) a month old native breed puppy rehabilitated in Dhyan Foundation Shelter

Exhibit (iii) a pair of Rottweiler and Indie breed dogs sharing a common space in Dhyan Foundation Shelter. They were both rescued from the 2019 Kerala floods

Exhibit (iv) a severely injured stray-cat undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitated in Dhyan Foundation