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| A dog family living in Sauraha |
Greetings,
For those who don’t know me (which is probably 99.9 per cent
of you), I’m Ashley – the true master of this blog and, therefore, runner of
this online joint. I edit and post David’s blogs and spruce them up with
David’s pictures. Any ugliness or mistakes on the blog can be blamed on me.
I was recently in Nepal for two weeks, and got to see
how much WELNepal’s work is helping women in the Chitwan area better their
lives. David has often said that when he first met the local women, they were
silent and shy. Learning to read, write, organize, hone new agricultural skills
and develop a support system has changed them. The classes I met were filled
with friendly and enthusiastic women who are dreaming bigger and wanting more.
Amazing.
But while the sight of the students and their families
smiling and laughing and interacting was indeed an inspiring one, there’s much
more that must change. One of the first things I noticed when I arrived in Kathmandu was the incredible pollution and chaos. The
roads — which are in poor condition — were overrun with cars, pedestrians,
motorbikes and animals.
Yes, animals. Cows, chickens, goats and dogs. Lots and lots
and lots of dogs.
Stray dogs are a huge problem in Nepal . They’re plentiful in number
and while most didn’t appear aggressive, many were injured and in poor health. Rabies
is a problem. Mange is a problem.
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| A pet dog owned by a Sherpa family |
While I did not see any locals mistreating the animals
(actually, I lie, some old guy threw rocks at a dog in front of a restaurant),
some people do abuse them. There have even been reports of locals throwing the
dogs into the river to be killed by crocodiles. And while it’s important to
remember that many Nepalese do feed and care for the dogs (and even keep some
as pets), it’s equally important to note that, in Nepal, animal sacrifice is
still common and remains a contentious and upsetting issue for many who witness
it.
Now, some more bad news.
Because street dogs are considered pests, they’re routinely
poisoned. And while some might shrug and say that that may be the only avenue
of population control available to a developing country, that’s simply not true.
Poisoning the dogs is not only inhumane, it’s ineffective. The dog population
is still out of control.
Stray cats are less of an issue, but some still roam the
streets. Another issue is malnourished equine animals, such as horses, donkeys
and mules. The horses that ferry tourists around Chitwan are often underweight
and suffer from skin conditions. Many had untreated open sores and cracked
hooves.
One family we visited, who has a daughter involved with
WELNepal, introduced us to their new puppy Fi-Fi (or Phi-Phi, if you prefer
more authentic spelling). It was during our dinnertime cuddles with Phi-Phi
that I asked if there were any shelters or organizations looking after the
strays. As expected, many reminded me that, in an impoverished country, feeding
and sheltering the people is paramount. The dogs come later. Much later.
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| A boy cradling a baby goat in a Tharu village in Sauraha |
But who says human and animal rights activism need be
mutually exclusive?
While WELNepal and other organizations seek to enhance
people’s quality of life by tackling poor education and inequality, other
groups do dedicate time and resources to helping four-legged Nepalese creatures
improve their lot. Case in point — HART (Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust). A Pokhara-based charity, HART carries out mass humane sterilization programs,
vaccinates street animals for rabies, rescues and treats sick and injured
animals, and educates the public on animal sentience (to discourage cruelty and
abuse) and responsible pet ownership.
It’s also important to remember that animal rights activism
and pet ownership aren’t hallmarks of spoiled societies. In Nepal , the
suffering of the animals often mirrors the suffering of the people. All
needless suffering is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. When people lose
their livestock in the monsoon, they lose their livelihood. When people freely
abuse smaller living things, it becomes easier for them to lose respect for
each other (especially those smaller – often women and children). When dogs are
abused, they may become aggressive and pose a danger to locals (especially
children). When dogs are sick, they can transmit disease to people.
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| Hard working mule from Annapurna region |
A society that respects and nourishes its animals is a
thriving, growing society. A society that can afford to provide all creatures —
both great and small — with a comfortable and dignified life is a prosperous
and healthy one. The more we educate the people, the more the people are able
to adequately care for and control the dog population.
So yes, the people do come first in the sense that elevating
them will elevate the quality of life of their wildlife. But it doesn’t mean
you can’t help the animals and people simultaneously. You can – if there’s room
in your heart, life (and, yes, wallet) for both, of course.
So, if you want to throw the dogs some monetary bones, check
out HART’s website. If you’re veterinarianly inclined, you can also donate
supplies or even go to Pokhara (a lovely city) and get your hands a little
dirty helping the ground staff carry out their duties.
I’ll leave you with a
shot of little Phi-Phi.
Namaste,
Ashley
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