How to take care of street dogs?

Anamika Rai

Street Dog Care (SDC) is a renowned animal welfare organization established in February 2009 in Boudha. Founded by Andrea Bringmann from Germany, a dedicated guardian of over 4000 street dogs for the past 15 years, the organization operates under the principle: “Let us work together to give all beings a better life.”

Staff and Operations

Anju Magar, one of the staff members, expresses her joy in working as an animal advocate for SDC. Having joined three months ago, she highlights the organization’s mission to improve the health, living standards, and environment for Nepal’s voiceless street dogs. SDC employs seven staff members, including two veterinary technicians, and their office is located just a few minutes away from the Boudha Stupa. The organization also runs a shelter in Changunarayan housing about 30 dogs, cared for by three staff members, and a veterinary clinic near their Boudha office.

Community Engagement and Services

Every Saturday, SDC hosts a free care camp at the Stupa for the community’s street dogs. These camps offer treatment, vaccinations, medical care, bathing, and love, attracting both locals and tourists who bring in street dogs for care. The camp also serves as an awareness campaign, with community volunteers participating and street dogs being named and recognized by locals. To fund their activities, SDC sells handmade items like purses and keyrings.

Support and Donations

Anju Magar explains that SDC operates without government support, relying solely on donations from generous donors. Contributions include water, food, blankets, clothes, soap, medicine, and treats for the dogs.

Veterinary Care

Nirmala Bista, a veterinary technician at SDC, states that their primary focus is on the suffering of street dogs. They attend to dogs with broken bones, hit-and-run injuries, tumors, skin diseases, and various illnesses. Around 1100 street dogs receive rabies vaccinations annually within the Boudha community. SDC responds to emergency calls from Boudha, Chahabil, Kapan, Narayantar, and Jorpati areas, treating dogs with rashes, wounds, and other minor injuries on the streets. More serious cases are handled at their veterinary clinic, and old, disabled, and blind dogs are kept permanently at the shelter. If a dog dies during treatment, they are taken to Pashupatinath for final rites and burial.

Community Impact

SDC has significantly impacted the Boudha community, changing attitudes and perceptions toward street dogs. The community has embraced SDC’s work positively, with shop owners and residents starting to feed and treat street dogs kindly. SDC’s activities have garnered a positive response from everyone.

Conclusion

The treatment of street dogs should reflect the belief that they have the right to live, be free, and feel safe without fear of harm or neglect. There should be no discrimination between breed dogs and street dogs. It is not just the responsibility of the government and dog care centers but of everyone to care for street dogs. Instead of discarding leftover food, people can feed street animals. By caring for the street dogs in their communities, no dog should suffer from hunger or disease.