First Abhay Sankalp Annual Awards announced in Vadodara

Societies rewarded for their effort leading to peaceful coexistence with dogs

Abhay Sankalp, an initiative by Humane Society International/India
organized its first annual awards event to honor 100 signed up societies in
Vadodara on 7th December Saturday. In a first of its kind event the societies
were rewarded for their effort leading to peaceful coexistence with dogs. 

Representatives of various societies participated to celebrate this
annual award function. During the event key data from household survey analysis
was shared with locals on the existing relationship between humans and dogs.

The work and achievements of Abhay Sankalp  over the year were
shared with the communities and guests such as, 79 out of 100 Abhay Sankalp
societies have got 100% sterilized and vaccinated dogs, workshops organized for
kids and adults across several societies to better understand dog behavior and
designated feeding and water spots installed by the society members in several
societies. 

Awards were given as per category wise like most compassionate society
award went to Mohammad Talav, fearless society award went to Shreeji Vasahat,
changed society award went to Sai Vihar Society and best Abhay Sankalp society
award went to Vachlu Faliyu.The best society and city level active volunteers
were also awarded at the event. Besides, residents also shared their personal
experiences with stray dogs to know how to deal with strays in such
situations. 

Faizan Jalil, Program Manager, companion animals and engagement, for
HSI, says, “It is a leap towards establishing the fact that working with
communities is the key to better life for street dogs. This annual awards event
and the winners under various categories of change prove that Abhay Sankalp
project can provide a sustainable mechanism of peaceful coexistence with
dogs”. 

Speaking about the event, Payal Prajapati, a resident of Sayajinagar
Township, says, “Abhay Sankalp team is doing such a great job for being
the voice for the voiceless animals. Through initiatives like this I hope more
societies will have a safe environment not only for humans but also for our
furry friends”

Abhay Sankalp-Abhay Bano, Abhay Banao was launched in December 2018 in
Vadodara, Jamnagar (Gujarat)) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand) to help people
understand about the coexistence of humans and dogs. The programs aim is to
educate the local residential societies about how to live safely and peacefully
with street dogs and over the period of time has witnessed a transformation in
community attitudes towards the street dogs.

Humane Society International and its partner organizations together
constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations. For more
than 25 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through
the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating
animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org

Various dignitaries attended the event along with the members of
residential societies and HSI/India team.