Dharamshala Animal Rescue (DAR) runs a neuter and vaccination programme in northern India. By reducing the number of stray animals and vaccinating against deadly diseases, they can eradicate unlawful killing, improve animal welfare, and prevent suffering.

India

Dharamsala Animal Rescue (DAR) is based in the rural hill station of Dharamsala, India.There's a continued lack of government support in this part of the country - even for rabies vaccination. Yet rabies is an endemic disease in India and with 80m homeless dogs on the street, the problem is at crisis point. Most people in rural parts of India feel that stray dogs are a pest, like rats. With rabies killing 1 person every 30 minutes in India - 95% of the time from a dog bite - managing the stray population is a priority.

Communities rely on charities like DAR to end the cycle of neglect and disease, through neutering and vaccination.The closest functioning vet clinic is over 1 hour away, at a veterinary college where appointments need to be made. So the work DAR does is vital to the local area - bringing them services that can alleviate the pain and suffering of strays.

DAR currently run 2 life-saving initiatives: 1 is a Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release (TNVR) programme to minimise the number of uncared for animals. The 2nd initiative is a street animal rescue programme. The charity also runs programmes in schools to teach kids how to be kind to dogs, even if they are afraid of them. Kindness is at the heart of everything DAR do, and the charity is on a mission to educate people and eliminate the street dog/human conflict.

In 2022 we made our first donation to DAR and we're proud to partner with this incredible charity.

2022

The Edgard & Cooper Foundation funds will be used to replace DAR's 20-year old van, so that the outreach programme helps more animals in need across Dharamsala. The jeep allows them to transport stray dogs for neutering; rescue animals in need and transport them for release; take animals for x-rays at a service 20 minutes away from Dharamsala; and bring them to key appointments at the veterinary college.

€6,400 pledged

DAR rely on a van for errands and community programmes – such as vaccination camps and donation jar distribution. The charity also use it for animal rescues, when the jeep is unavailable.

The money donated through the Edgard & Cooper Foundation will also ensure that Rosie is an effective back-up vehicle - with new tyres, and everything else she needs to get to those harder-to-reach areas where people and animals are suffering.

The team at DAR is small, with just 15 people on the ground in India and 2 vets. Our funds are essential to get this team of people where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Maximimising the number of animals that can be neutered and vaccinated, and helping to rescue strays from a life of harm is the main focus for both DAR and the Egdard & Cooper Foundation. Together we can do so much more.