Our Volunteers - Joanne
I think dogs are great! I think that they are so great, that I work with them. As an animal physiotherapist I am accustomed to their determination and strength to recover from injury and ill health. I don’t however think that before August I knew just how much they could suffer, trust and love.
In August I went to help T.O.L.F.A save 200 dogs from a horrible death and instead keep them safe during the city of Ajmers religious festival, vaccinate them against Rabies and neuter them to help control the huge population of street dogs that exist there. It was hot, humid and very hard work. Dogs would arrive at the makeshift shelter at night after being gathered from the streets. Many were not accustomed to close human contact and were understandably scared, some were in an appalling condition. Within 2 weeks, these dogs were transformed, illness was treated, vaccinations were given and surgery completed. The dogs began to fill out, their coats became glossy and thick and they decided that we were their friends. It soon became impossible to do anything without an entourage of faithful companions and I will remember them forever!
My biggest memory is vaccinating dog after dog against Rabies and thinking ‘25p - that’s all it’s costing to keep you well!’ With your help, hundreds of dogs like these can be helped to live better, healthier lives which means that the people of that area also live healthier lives. I will definitely be back!
Joanne feeding a puppy with milk
