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A Plan for Elephanta Caves Dogs and Cats

A Plan for Elephanta Caves Dogs and Cats

 

IDA India has been struggling for several years to reach out to dogs and cats living on the island of Elephanta Caves, which is 10 kilometers off the coast of Mumbai, and a major tourist attraction for its amazing caves. There is a small community of local inhabitants living there, and the only way to reach the island is by sea through boats and ferries.

Our staff were initially unable to do so, due to tremendous hurdles such as a tricky commute and a limited power supply. The island sadly gets electricity for only two hours per day, and our desire to undertake a spay/neuter program for these dogs and cats and to render treatment for the ill and injured ones remained unfulfilled. It was an extremely agonizing situation knowing that despite being so close, we were unable to help these suffering animals.

At the end of last year,, we decided to give the situation one more try, so under the stewardship of Fizzah Shah and Goodicia Vaidya, a few committed animal lovers went to visit the Elephanta Caves. Their survey found 150 dogs on the island, mostly starved and malnourished, with most females pregnant, covered with wounds and with puppies all around. Most tourists were not sympathetic or friendly and were annoyed because the dogs followed them around in search of scraps to eat. A project was thus planned, to be executed before the onset of rains which start in June, after which visits to the island are almost impossible.

Now we have taken the first step, and our first camp was recently held (which we will report on separately). The plan is to eventually undertake at least 60 spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinate as many of the dogs and cats as possible against rabies, and render treatment to the ill and injured ones. Now that the first camp has been completed and procedures are being reviewed, we will get some idea of how things can progress from here and we will be able to undertake more camps in the future.

Please stay tuned for updates and our report on the first camp!

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