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.