Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health Program

SARAH stands for Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health Programme. The state of Sikkim is nestled in the Himalayan foothills of North-Eastern India. Vets Beyond Borders works in partnership with the Government of Sikkim and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to enable this project. This extensive state-wide ABC - AR programme is now fully funded however it requires the generous and dedicated work of volunteer veterinarians and veterinary nurses to continue. Since 2005 volunteer veterinarians and veterinary nurses, from Australia and overseas, have made the journey to Sikkim to participate in the program.

If you are interested in volunteering in 2009 please contact Helen Byrnes

How the project works

The local staff that VBB work with are invaluable, they are the team members who keep things running as volunteers come and go. They are out at first light catching dogs (the most important job) and then are kept busy all day, being trained in the skills required to prepare the animals for surgery and to clean and pack surgical kits prior to autoclaving.

There is a lot of other work to be done. Community education and public awareness campaigns are vital components of the project. The benefits of a successful, state-wide programme are not limited to the dogs alone. The reduction in the incidence of other zoonotic diseases, such as Scabies, Hookworm and Echinococcosis, also contributes greatly to public health.

Public welfare is improved through effective Rabies prevention, following the creation of a stable, vaccinated, street-dog population. The community attitude to street-dogs is improved as a result of the reduced numbers without the need for violent and distressing culls. The work holds the potential to be of great worth to dog and human populations alike.

VBB's goal is to be able to hand-over the operation of the project to local veterinarians in three-to-five years.

Summary

The programme continues to extend its activities over an ever larger area of the state. This has been made possible by the appointment of more Sikkimese veterinary personnel, an increased supply of veterinary volunteers provided by Vets Beyond Borders and the acquisition of more plant and equipment, thanks to the generosity of Fondation Brigitte Bardot.

    Highlights

  • Funding for current financial year approved by programme sponsors, Fondation Brigitte Bardot and the Government of Sikkim
  • Administrative changes planned to ensure long-term future of the programme
  • Third unit due to commence work in the new Ravangla district street-dog clinic
  • Third unit due to commence work in the new Ravangla district street-dog clinic
  • Landmark meeting, hosted by Vets Beyond Borders in Gangtok, promises close collaboration between government departments, police, armed forces, local NGO's and media on animal welfare and public health issues