As KARUNA enters the 119th
year of service, I am happy to present the
Annual Report of the Association for the
year 2005-2006 for the 9th year in succession.
I thank all our Members, Animal Welfare
Activists, Donors, Companies, Volunteers
and the Public at large, for their wholehearted
help and cooperation in implementing the
programmes of the Association. I profusely
thank the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP)
for extending their unstinted cooperation
in the animal welfare activities of our
Association and funding for specific programmes.
The Executive Committee and Sub Committee
Members actively participated in the successful conduct
of all the programmes of the Association and I am thankful
to them for their support and dedicated services. I also
acknowledge our volunteers, KARUNA Club Members, Junior
Members and Staff Members for their services and valuable
assistance in carrying out the Association’s programmes
and activities.
The Association, this year also, has continued
its participation in the stray dog control and management
programme of BMP by conducting Animal Birth Control operations/Anti
Rabies Vaccination of stray dogs in Bangalore West Zone,
with a lot of constraints in getting funds for the programme
on time.
After a period of thirty years of long lease
of our present shelter cum rescue home in the veterinary
college premises, proposals are with the Govt. of Karnataka
for consideration of a further period of long lease. There
has been a marked improvement in relations after the formation
of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences
University (KVAFSU) with KARUNA supporting a number of Animal
Welfare Programmes in collaboration with the Veterinary
College, KVAFSU, Bangalore and the involvement of the veterinary
college students in the animal welfare movement. To bring
awareness among school children, we organize annual competitions
such as Essay Writing, Painting, Elocution and also field
visits.
As per the suggestion of Central Zoo Authority,
Government of India, KARUNA continues its efforts with requests
to the Govt. of Karnataka for grant of land and facilities
for a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre. I hope
it will materialize during 2006-2007.
Animal suffering during ritual sacrifice
of wildlife have been highlighted along with the forest
authorities by conducting interaction programmes with the
villagers wherein this practice is rampant. Further the
present day education system is not conducive for the youth
to volunteer for social or animal welfare programmes due
to their intensive preparation for their pursuits in scholastic,
collegiate and professional courses.
It is high time that animal welfare organisations
were strengthened on par with the RSPCA, WSPA etc with appointment
of paid executives with love for animals.
I sincerely thank the Department of
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Forests, Police,
University of Agricultural Sciences, KVAFSU, Veterinary
College authorities, Association branches, Print and Electronic
media and the World Society for the Protection of Animals
(WSPA), U.K., North Shore Animal League, New York, USA and
to one and all who have directly and indirectly helped and
cooperated in the successful conduct of the activities of
the Association.
