Help homeless animals access life-saving treatment

Dear Friend,

The year has started off very well for Manali Strays. Since we started our small rescue charity in 2020 our aim has always been to provide the best veterinary care possible to the animals in the area. This involves being able to diagnose their problems quickly but as accurately as possible. Unfortunately for many of the medical conditions we see, this involves the use of quite expensive diagnostic equipment. However, we have been lucky that each year we have managed to secure funding for one piece of vital equipment. In 2022 it was haematology analyser, in 2023 we bought a biochemistry analyser, and this year, we were generously bought a digital x-ray machine. This was such a huge relief for us, as we previously had to take dogs elsewhere for x-rays and the settings and positioning was never optimal.

We did have to do a bit of work to enable us to get the x-ray. For example, we needed to construct a new room with 9” walls and lead protection to conform to India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. But as we were building, we extended the project to include a storage room and a new examination room specifically for any potentially infectious cases.

We have already been able to diagnose a poor pet dog with a needle stuck in his throat after he swallowed it with his dinner. Without our own x-ray machine, it would have taken much longer to diagnose and the dog would have suffered immensely.

After the success of the MC Kullu sterilisation camp in December last year, the MC Manali also requested us to sterilise 100 dogs in Manali, with further dogs planned. This is great news because it means that the local governments are starting to take notice of the street dog problem and are trying to help us come up with solutions in a humane manner.

Earlier this year, we were fortunate to have a volunteer for Australia work with us. Dr Michael does a great deal of charity work for different organisations, so we were very lucky for him to take time out of his busy schedule to show us some diagnostic techniques using our new x-ray and some new surgical techniques. In fact, this visit was so useful, one of our founders, Becky went off to Melbourne to visit different veterinary clinics, hospitals and animal rescue centres. The Manali Strays’ founders are always trying to learn new techniques, find better ways of running the organisation, and trying to gather knowledge from veterinary and rescue establishments that can be introduced and implemented at Manali Strays. Becky also had two days of one-to-one ultrasound training at a clinic in Melbourne for use in the future when Manali Strays can acquire their own ultrasound machine.  

Koko, our rescues baby monkey is still with us and growing up to be a mischievous teenager. But we also had to rescue another, older monkey who was electrocuted. Luckily she survived her injuries and is healing very well. e slowwly introduced her and Koko to each other, and were very happy to see them bonding. They take part in mutual grooming of each other and have bother become friends with the two cats we have on site. All four animals are often asleep together or grooming each other.

We have many plans for this year in terms of rabies vaccination drives and sterilisation camps, so we are excited to see what 2024 has in store for us. As always, none of this work is possible without the generosity of our supporters like yourself, so thank you, and we hope your continued support can help us achieve so much more.

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