Blue Cross revamps set-up after Cyclone Vardah

From the kitten shelter to the out-patient ward, the organisation had seen a number of damages during the cyclone in December 2016. “The kitten centre was completely destroyed as around of 68 trees had fallen. Besides, the roads had also been badly affected and electric cables and the like destroyed,” said Dawn Williams, general manager.

The dogs that were being taken care of at the shelter were suffering due to the pathways within the campus that were completely destroyed during the cyclone. “However, they can now walk on a good surface,” he added. The entire shelter was revamped. “We have also introduced the concept of shadow lights, designed and donated by Aspick Engineering. This is extremely useful when you perform a surgery as it does not let your own shadow fall on the open wound of the animal,” he said.

Another addition at the shelter is the cow surgery theatre. “It has a hydraulic lift stretcher so that the surgeon can operate on the animal at a stretch for hours. We are now hoping to get sponsors for an x-ray and blood test lab, after which we will have a full-fledged treatment centre,” he said, adding that they also have a volunteer who is a good artist and contributes to the shelter by beautifying walls. “This will be attractive for those bringing in their pets for treatment,” he added. 

The shelter, at present, has around 35 to 40 kittens (after around 20 were adopted on Sunday). Around 150 to 200 animals are brought to the out-patient ward for treatment on a daily basis. Over 25 anti-birth control surgeries are performed on a daily basis and 110 rumenotomy surgeries have been performed on cows.