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The mountainous,
largely rural and
untouched landscape;
the strong Buddhist
background;
the small human
population of
700,000 with a
free-roaming dog
population of
nearly 60,000;
the fact that
the country is
surrounded by
India and
China—both of
which have
rabies control
challenges of
their own; and
finally the fact
that Bhutan does
not have a
formal
veterinary
school and only
20 official
veterinarians
exist in the
country.
In congruence
with their
Buddhist
background, in
2009 the Royal
Government of
Bhutan requested
HSI to assist in
controlling
their
free-roaming dog
population and
associated
rabies
incidences in a
humane manner.
Three HSI teams
situated in
different
districts across
Bhutan have,
through June
2010, sterilized
over 11,000
dogs. Not only
do they
sterilize stray
and owned dogs,
they also treat
dogs for
transmissible
venereal tumors,
pyometra, mange
and any other
health condition
they are
presented with.
The purpose of
my research was
to evaluate the
progress of
HSI’s work
through the
perspective of
local community
members and
public
officials. I was
also interested
in assessing how
HSI’s project is
influencing
human attitude
and behavior
towards
free-roaming
dogs.
I interviewed
355 community
members and 20
public officials
throughout the
country, and
although my data
analysis is
still in its
early phases,
some of the
general
observations I
hope to expand
on in my
official report
include:
-
The majority
of community
members and
public
officials
believe
there is a
noticeable
decrease in
the number
of puppies
in the
districts
that HSI has
conducted
its program,
-
They also
believe that
the dog
population
that remains
on the
streets
looks
healthier
because of
HSI’s
project, and
-
Nearly
everyone I
spoke with
commended
HSI’s
professionalism
and skill,
and hope
that HSI
will
continue to
work in
Bhutan
beyond their
3-year
commitment.
Even in light of
such progress
and positive
observations,
HSI still faces
many challenges
in creating a
sustainable dog
population and
rabies control
program in
Bhutan. More
work in
advancing animal
welfare and
humane education
is needed, and
Bhutan is in
need of a more
permanent
veterinary
clinic or
shelter where
injured and sick
animals can be
treated and
cared for over
the long term.
As HSI continues
their work in
Bhutan, they
will hopefully
be able to
collaborate with
local animal
welfare
organizations to
expand the care
and welfare of
animals
throughout
Bhutan. Through
HSI’s work, I am
optimistic that
Bhutan will
become a
paradigm of how
an international
NGO can team up
with a
government to
implement
effective humane
dog population
and rabies
control. |
