About HAS

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened (Anatole France, 1844-1924)

H umane Animal Society (HAS) was started in 2006 to address animal welfare in the city of Coimbatore, and to carry out the critical function of Animal Birth Control (ABC). HAS is a public non-profit organisation registered with Government of Tamil Nadu as a trust under certificate no. 998/2006 under section 12A (a) of the IT act 1961. Consequently, all financial contributions are tax-exempt under section 80(g).

HAS is a group of people who believe that the power of compassion, love and kindness will make a meaningful and positive difference to the lives of the animals around us. We strive to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, feed, and love the animals that need us the most.

The mission statement of HAS is to mitigate animal suffering through humane ABC, rescue, treatment and rehabilitation. To spread awareness about animal rights through education in schools. To empower humans by providing them with a platform to contribute to the cause in their own unique way. Our vision is of a compassionate society where exploitation and abuse of animals is a thing of the past, and a future where all animals can claim their place on this Earth.

Partnerships, memberships, awards and other recognitions

HAS has partnered with a number of organisations, some of whom are mentioned below, and we have also won the occasional award or acknowledgment for our work for the animals of Coimbatore and beyond.

GuideStar India
GuideStar India is India’s largest and most reliable NGO information repository with a fully searchable database containing information about more than 10,000 Indian NGOs. More than 1,400 of these, including HAS, have undergone due diligence, forming India's largest pool of certified NGOs. An NGO that is certified by GuideStar demonstrates its commitment to being a transparent and accountable organisation.

HAS on GuideStar India

Animal Welfare Board of India
HAS was recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in 2008 with recognition number TN175/08. AWBI is a statutory advisory body for the Government of India's Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. AWBI oversees animal welfare organisations by granting recognition to them if they meet its guidelines. The organisation must submit paperwork, agree to nominate a representative for AWBI's executive committee, and submit to regular inspections. After meeting these requirements and an inspection, the organisation is considered for grant of recognition.

Animal Welfare Board of India
Animal Welfare Board of India Certificate of Recognition (pdf, 752 kB)

Humane Society International
HAS has been a partner of Humane Society International (HSI) since 2013. HSI works around the globe to promote the human-animal bond, rescue and protect dogs and cats, improve farm animal welfare, protect wildlife, promote animal-free testing and research, and to respond to natural disasters and confront cruelty to animals in all of its forms. HSI cooperates with policymakers on international treaties and free trade agreements to conduct briefings and to help draft legislation, regulations, policy statements and resolutions affecting animals. HSI supports the efforts of governments, industries and NGOs to promote the protection of animals through trade capacity building projects in developing countries and international campaigns to reduce suffering caused by exploitation of marine mammals, factory farming, the fur trade, trophy hunting, and animal fighting and cruelty.

Humane Society International

Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations
HAS has been a member of the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) since 2010. FIAPO was registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882, and is a collective of animal protection organisations in India that help, represent, connect, and inform, animal protection organisations and activists across India. FIAPO also undertakes campaigns for purposes that are uncatered for, and carry out research on rights for animals. FIAPO promotes five basic freedoms, specifically for animals and generally for all living beings: 1) Freedom from hunger and thirst by providing access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour. 2) Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate shelter and resting area. 3) Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. 4) Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind. 5) Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations

Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 award for Mini Vasudevan
Mini Vasudevan, founder and managing trustee of HAS, received the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 award as a passionate animal activist who, through her work with HAS, is responsible for having improved and saved the lives of countless animals through the undertaking of ABC and ARV programs, treatment, rehabilitation and rehoming of rescued animals, by holding frequent adoption camps, and by conducting humane education programs to educate children and adults about animal welfare and environmental sustainability with the purpose of sensitising them on being kind and compassionate to all species.

Nari Shakti Puraskar
Nari Shakti Puraskar on wikipedia
Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 recipients
Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 - Ministry of Women and Child Development - Mini Vasudevan (pdf, 374 kB)

Nondi, the HAS mascot

We would like to introduce to you our shelter mascot, Nondi, who is in the top-photo in a typical Nondi pose, and just below in more relaxed state. His is a story of adversities, hope, survival and winning against all odds. For many years, Nondi was the first face to greet anyone who came to the ABC and Rescue Centre.

Nondi was badly hurt when he was brought into the centre in 2008 with three broken limbs. He was in quite a hopeless state, and needed immediate treatment. Weeks of intensive care eventually helped this little fighter get back on his feet, although with a severe limp. This adorable gait became his signature, which shouted out his will to survive! During the period of treatment, he bonded very well with our staff and vets. But with even fully healthy dogs not getting adopted, we realized that the chances of him finding a home a was quite slim. That, combined with his comfort within the unit and with the staff, made him a permanent resident at the ABC and Rescue Centre.

Nondi was an extremely friendly dog, often doing inspection rounds in the centre. He was even known for bringing back a few dogs that ran away! Nondi was affectionate to other animals, and to random people who came in to get their pets treated. His inspection rounds would carry on till late at night, when he would also take on the duty of a guard. This boy was obedient too. He knew to keep his nose off the food until he was given his bowl and he knew that the operation theatre was off-limits for him, even when there was no one around.

We've had different people working with us for different periods of time, and everyone who met Nondi would testify that it was a pleasure having him around. His semi-toothless grin warmed the hearts of both staff and the others who visited the ABC and Rescue Centre.

Nondi symbolises what HAS as an organisation stands for: to be able to rise up against all adversities. When many thought there was little chance for him to get back on his paws, Nondi fought a difficult battle to recover and show everyone that nothing is too hard for a fighter; and that even with a big disability, a dog can have a happy, content life. To members of HAS, he has been and will always be a special boy and we all agree that there is no one better to be the HAS mascot than this tough little survivor!

In February 2015, Nondi's health started failing. He was running high temperatures, and when blood tests returned with reduced kidney and liver functions, we knew that the time had come... Like all great souls, he left this world in peace without much suffering, and we were all happy for that. His body was laid to rest in the evening of 24 February. He was believed to have been 15 years old when he died.

Animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies drives (ARV)

HAS has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, pursuant to which we undertake ABC programs to effectively control the stray dog population in the West Zone of the city. In addition, we systematically conduct anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) programs to make the city a safer place for humans and animals alike.

It is estimated that Coimbatore has 50,000 free roaming dogs who are struggling to exist on the streets. Without a comprehensive sterilisation program in place to slow down and eventually stop the indiscriminate breeding of these dogs, their numbers will continue to increase. This creates increased pressure upon the dogs in their day-to-day struggle to survive leading to increased fighting and diseases such as rabies.

ARV programs go hand-in-hand with the ABC programs in making India rabies-free. The data on prevalence of rabies among owned (pet) dogs in relation to the methods and procedures for stray dog control has been analysed in many studies. These studies show that, contrary to popular belief, the culling of healthy animals as a means of controlling rabies is unlikely to be unsuccessful. The studies prove beyond doubt that the occurrence of rabies in owned (pet) dogs steadily declines with adoption of ARV while the trend is irregular with culling. Therefore, ABC and ARV are the optimum procedures to control the stray dog population and reduce rabies infections. It is also the only humane method.

HAS's objective is to achieve a 70% sterilisation and rabies vaccination success rate within one breeding cycle. If this rate is accomplished, the results are immediate with a clear visual and measurable impact.

HAS conducts periodic ARV camps at different locations within Coimbatore where people can bring their pets to be vaccinated against rabies for free.

Method

One of the core missions of our organisation is to control the population of stray dogs in the city. We attempt to do this systematically as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) outlined in ABC Dog Rules 2001.

Our team of dog catchers go to a specified area, and each day capture 10-12 dogs. The dogs are humanely captured using butterfly nets, and are placed in our vehicle to be transported to our clinic. The same day, or at the latest the next day, each dog is sterilised and vaccinated against rabies. At the same time, we mark the dogs so that we know they have been sterilised. This is done by making a notch in the dog's ear. The dogs are then housed in our kennels until they have recovered sufficiently from their operation. This usually takes about three days. The dogs are then returned to where they were captured to be released. We keep comprehensive records to ensure that each dog goes back to the same place it was captured from. This ensures a stable population in the area.

At the ABC and Rescue Clinic in Seeranaickenpalayam we sterilise and vaccinate more than 100 dogs each month.

If there are street dogs in your locality that need to be sterilised, please give us a call and coordinate with us. A sterilised dog is easily identifiable by its notched ear, meaning the tip of its ear would have a small cut.

We also undertake sterilisations for stray and community cats.

Rescues

HAS is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating animals that are hurt or in distress. Our animal van goes to various sites to perform rescues, after which the animal is given the necessary medical check-up and treatment. Depending on the situation, we either release the animal back at the same location, or try to get it adopted post recovery.

Please note that rescues are NOT possible without public help and support. We are severely short staffed and financially constrained. Kindly understand our situation when you call for a rescue, and support us in order to help the animal in the best possible manner. This may include taking in the animal temporarily, tracking it till help arrives, bringing the animal to us rather than waiting for the van, donating a small amount for its treatment, and helping in the release/rehabilitation of the animal.

In the past we have rescued many dogs, cats, cows, horses, birds and squirrels. Call us at 9366127215 if you see any animal in distress.

All stories related to rescues can be found in the news section of the website under rescues.

The ABC and Rescue Centre

The ABC and Rescue Centre, set on 1.25 acres of land in Seeranaickenpalayam, is at the very heart of HAS, and as a busy hub for our team, it is a constant hive of activity. Reducing the numbers of unwanted litters in our wards (and throughout the city and country as a whole) is our single biggest priority, so when pets are brought for sterilisation, and our own, healthy residents, are able to undergo surgery, we take enormous pride in this, and know that we are actively reducing the levels of suffering endured by many dogs.

Of course, treatment of animals admitted after being involved in traffic accidents, and animals who have fallen sick, is another of our priorities, and we have taken a powerful oath to never let any animal suffer needlessly if we are in a position to humanely assist it.

The primary purpose of the veterinary hospital at the ABC and Rescue Centre is to care for the street animals of Coimbatore. However, HAS also provides outpatient service. For example, all animals that have been adopted from HAS are provided with life-long treatment, including obligatory sterilisation of animals that were adopted before they could reasonably be sterilised. Outpatient treatments are undertaken for 2 hours from 9:00 till 11:00 every day. We also undertake sterilisation of pet animals.

We currently have two permanent veterinary doctors, and two part-time consultant veterinary doctors.

The Sanctuary

Set in a 1.5 acres of land in Vazhukkupparai, the Sanctuary is a peaceful, calm environment for our permanent residents to live out their days, safely and happily. With a customized cattery, several spacious enclosures, a garden pond, a myriad of mango trees and plenty of shaded areas for our animals to rest in, it is the perfect place for our perfect (if a little motley!) selection of dogs and cats, not forgetting our feisty horse and laidback cow!

The ambulance

Procured as a result of a generous donation from the UK charity, Dogs Trust, our ambulance can be maneuvered through the busy city streets to reach animals in distress. The ambulance is also used in vaccination drives in and around the city of Coimbatore where it safely and hygienically carries equipment and anti-rabies vaccines along with several team members.

Adoption and fostering

There are millions of stray and homeless animals in India today. HAS does what is practically possible to control the number of stray and homeless animals in Coimbatore in a humane way, e.g. by adopting procedures such as ABC. But due to financial and infrastructural limitations, it is not possible for HAS to provide shelter for all the stray animals of Coimbatore. However, if each one of us were to adopt one stray/homeless animal, the numbers of those without shelter would become negligible. HAS volunteers trained in dog behaviour will guide the prospective adopters to make the correct choice, and advise the new adopters about dog care, diet, behaviour, vaccinations and grooming.

HAS advocates and promotes the adoption of animals rather than the buying and selling of animals. We conduct periodic adoption camps at central locations in the city, in which abandoned animals, rescue pups and kittens, and foster pups and kittens are put up for adoption. We also facilitate adoptions from the ABC and Rescue Centre in Seeranaickenpalayam and from the Sanctuary in Vazhukkuparai. Every year, we find happy homes and loving families for more than 300 pets. Our adoption and re-homing rates have been consistently high and we are very proud of our achievements on that front. Prospective adopters are interviewed by HAS counselors to ensure that the dog goes to a loving and responsible home. If found suitable, they are allowed to adopt the dog. The new adopters are then given vaccination certificates, leaflets on dog care and assurance that HAS is available for future assistance.

Outreach

Awareness is crucial. An unaware person is, at best, indifferent to animal suffering, at worst, actively contributing to animal suffering. Therefore, an essential part of HAS' duties is to conduct programs at various places in Coimbatore to raise awareness on animal welfare, animal rights, our duty as humans to protect animals, and what we can do to make Earth a better place for all species.

We conduct humane education programs in schools and colleges, but also to the general public, where we explain the principles of compassion and love towards animals. HAS also publishes and distributes regular newsletters to engage with the local population. We conduct at least 3-4 education and awareness camps every month.

Media

Like most animal welfare organisations, HAS has an elaborate news media and social media policy, because without such policies, it would be almost impossible to fulfil the objectives of the organisation, e.g. without media coverage of animal welfare issues in general and HAS in particular, it would be very difficult to attract volunteers, adopters, sponsors and donors. If you are a representative for a news media organisation, and you are covering animal welfare and related issues, you are welcome to contact us for more information. You may also download the HAS logo if needed for your story.

All news media related coverage of HAS from the inception in 2006 can be found in the news section of the website under HAS in the media.