Kudumbashree - Controlling stray dog menace and earning livelihood

Kudumbashree, the state poverty eradication Mission had always shown the courage to take up new or challenging areas and introduce innovative programmes for every social cause. Formation of Animal Birth Control Unit was one of them. This is one among the area that most of them blindly disagree to take up as an option for livelihood. But Kudumbashree members took it as an opportunity as a challenge.  Nanma ABC unit from Naranammuzhi Panchayath of Pathanamthitta District of Kerala is finding their livelihood through the Animal Birth Conrol Programme (ABC) of Kudumbashree Mission and the Nanma ABC unit is making a difference in the lives of its unit members.

What is Animal Birth Control Programme (ABC)?

One of the social problems faced by Kerala in recent years is the stray dog menace. Since killing of stray dogs is banned as per various acts and judgements, the strategy adopted by the Government is to intensify Animal Birth Control programme (ABC).

ABC programme aims at reducing stray dog population density, decrease mating/ maternal/pack aggression in stray dogs. The program involves capture, neutering, and release of stray dogs based on a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for animal birth control programs outlined by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

How it works?

Responsibility of an ABC unit of Kudumbashree Mission shall include management and support to the ABC Programme of the local bodies under respective area. It shall include the capturing or hired capturing of stray dogs from identified area, transportation of dogs captured to the identified institution for ABC Programme, required pre and post-operative care (surgery will be done at the identified veterinary hospital by the surgeon empaneled by Kudumbashree Mission) for the animals and safe release of the animal back as per law. i.e., The ABC units catch the stray dogs and make them undergo neutering. Once it is over, the dogs would be dropped off at the same place from where which it was caught.

 The Local Self Government Institutions would spend Rs.2100 per dog out of which Rs.400 would be allocated for the Veterinary doctor, Rs.500 for the medicines of the dogs, lotion and Rs.200 for food and transportation. Kudumbashree ABC units would get Rs.1000 per dog. ABC units could be started in the limits of any Local Self Government Institutions in Kerala. The details of the number of dogs caught by the unit would be entered in the register of the respective ABC units on daily basis. The neutering is done, only one day after the dog is caught. Only water is fed to the dog on the previous day of neutering. The empaneled veterinary doctors would do the neutering surgery and the ABC units would extend all the needed help for the doctor. Until the wound dries, it is the duty of the ABC unit members, to take care of the dog and once the wound is fully healed, the dog would be dropped off at the place from which it was caught.  The Kudumbashree District Mission would transfer the amount to the bank account of the ABC unit, once the copy of the register along with the doctor’s certificate is submitted to the District Mission.

Success Story of Nanma ABC Unit

Thera are a total six members in Nanma ABC group, and all of them are from tribal settlement. Unit members of this group are from both NHG members and family members. Smt. Sukumari is the President and Smt. Vijayamma is the Secretary of the unit.  Smt.Reshmi Krishnan, Smt. Thankamani Thankan, Shri. Krishnankutty and Shri. Madhavan are the members of this unit.

The group members reside in the 10th Ward of Naranammuzhi Panchayath and the ward member Smt. Thankamani Thankan took the initiative to start the enterprise with the support of CDS Chairperson Smt.Sandhya Anil. Smt. Thankamani is also a member in this group. The group was started in 2017 and the team got 3 months training. All of them are coming from a very poor background and they don’t have any other livelihood option to lead their life. So they consider it as a great opportunity to the way of success.

As of now more than 1000 dogs were sterilized by Nanma ABC unit. An amount of Rs. 2100 is received for each dog. And as mentioned before, the amount would be split as Rs. 400 for surgeon, Rs. 500 for medicine and Rs. 1200 for the unit. At a time 45 dogs can be sterilized by the surgeon. According to the team member this will be a huge amount and they couldn’t even imagine to get before they started this unit. There are no interpersonal issues among the group members. They will conduct regular meetings and share their thoughts, observations and this will help them to improve their quality of work.

17 panchayaths and 2 Municipalities were allotted for Nanma group. And they were doing a great work by catching and sterilizing the stray dogs. The District Coordinator and CDS chairperson also gave whole hearted support to the team members.

The unit bought 15 cent of land of their own and an auto rickshaw by taking loan from the bank account registered for receiving the fund for their work. This was the happiest moment of the unit and they are very proud of it. They also wish to start a surgery unit in their own panchayath and had got permission for the same from the Panchayath. The team members are really optimistic and they plan to start a pet care unit too in coming year.

“District Mission Coordinator presented the ABC project in a monthly Plan Review Meeting, Most of the CDS chairpersons were afraid to take it as an Opportunity. But I am confident enough to take it as a challenge and when I discussed it with Nanma team members they were ready to accept it as a livelihood option. The courage they shown from the beginning was the success of the unit.” says Smt. Sandhya Anil, CDS chairperson Naranammuzhi.

The Nanma ABC unit had proved that by showing the courage to think and act different can bring in great changes in life! They believe that as Colin Powel said, a dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work.