Controlling stray dog menace and earning upto Rs1.25 lakhs - Stories of Successful Women from Kudumbashree Mission

Kudumbashree Golden ABC unit from Kulathummal, Neyyatinkara Municipality of Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala is earning upto Rs 1.25 lakhs a month by controlling the stray dog menace in their locality.  It is through the Animal Birth Conrol Programme (ABC) of Kudumbashree Mission that the Golden 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 Golden ABC Unit

Golden ABC unit comprises of Smt. Mary Stella, Smt. Preetha, Smt. Suchithra and Smt. Sindhu, the members of Akshaya and Sneha Neighbourhood Group. The unit started the animal birth control activities on 25 March 2017. They had caught a total of 2500 dogs so far. The Golden unit has 20 cages at Neyyatinkara and 35 cages at Parassala. During the initial days, the unit used to catch only 5 dogs per day, now they are catching about 20 dogs a day.

The Golden ABC unit is earning upto Rs 1.25 lakhs a month by controlling the stray dog menace in their locality. Golden ABC unit had attracted many other Kudumbashree members to be part of ABC programme. The Golden ABC unit had proved that by showing the courage to think and act different can bring in great changes in life!