Globetrotting Australia vets camp in Vadodara for dog sterilization

VADODARA: A team of 20 veterinary doctors and students from Australia is camping in city since a week to sterilize stray dogs and also treat birds that may get injured due to glass-coated threads of kite-flyers on Uttarayan day.
The team led by Dr Erika Sullivan plan to sterilize at least 50 stray dogs at the facility of Vadodara Center for Animal Rescue and Emergency (VCARE) near the city.Sullivan had visited the city last year too to participate in the VCARE’s rescue camp for birds during Uttarayan.
“There is not enough hands-on experience so I thought this is the perfect opportunity where animals need help and students need experience. Since I had worked here last year I thought of bringing some students so they can also learn here,” said Sullivan, who calls herself globetrotting veterinarian. Sullivan has worked in an elephant and dog shelters in Thailand before moving to Australia.
“At VCARE all dogs get opportunity to live while in western countries and Australia since animals are owned so they are dictated by owners’ finances. So if an owner has money the dog lives and if the owner does not have money the dog does not live,” she added.
Another vet Dr Julie raised 800 Canadian Dollars for VCARE’s sterilization camp. One sterilization operation that is conducted costs anywhere between Rs 800 and Rs 900.
“I work at an animal shelter in Australia, but it is interesting to find out how well the dogs do here. However, I am excited about the upcoming bird camp,” said a student Taylor Hawkins. Another student Charlotte Han who visited Sri Lanka before coming to city said that you become more aware about how animals are treated in different countries.
“We are glad that this group came here for the camp. Our in-house vet also conducts sterilization, but we have our limitations in terms of staff and funding. We hope that more Barodians come forward to make donations for animal care,” said managing trustee of VCARE Nandita Amin.
VCARE will hold its camp for injured birds near Chakli Circle on Monday and Tuesday where the Australian vets will also treat the injured avians.