Sakshi Dhoni, the better-half of Team India captain Mahendra Singh and one of India’s most stylish WAGs, cuddles a dog at the launch of anti-rabies campaign (right) in Ranchi on Tuesday. The campaign also saw the launch of the mobile veterinary hospital, a Mercedes Zetros van donated by the UK-based Dogs Trust that sports cheerful exteriors and hi-tech interiors (above and below, far right).

The launch at Bakri Bazar, organised jointly by Ranchi NGO, Hope & Animal Trust, in partnership with state animal husbandry department and Ranchi Municipal Corporation, saw Sakshi, a self-professed dog lover, speaking animatedly for the cause as its brand ambassador.

“Every year, thousands suffer because of rabies. The initiative will focus on eradicating rabies from Ranchi first and then from other parts of the country,” Sakshi, who adopted a stray pup last year, said.

Also present were Ranchi deputy commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Hope and Animal Trust members, experts from Dogs Trust and Mayhew International, both UK sponsors of Mission Rabies. Praveen Ohal, founder of Hope and Animal Trust, said: “We aim to Ranchi free of rabies by 2017. Vaccination programmes and awareness campaigns will be held continuously till we achieve our target. The project involves GPS mapping of every dog who’s vaccinated, using smartphone technology, for scientific monitoring and evaluation.”

Sakshi apart, oohs and aahs were reserved for the all-terrain Merc that is now a self-sufficient mobile veterinary hospital vehicle.

“We are lucky to have Dr Ursula Goetz from Mayhew International, UK, and Dr Vinay Bhagat from the WVS International Training Centre in Ooty. These veterinary surgeons will train local vets here on how to go about the programme and generally act as subject matter experts,” Ohal added.

Text by A.S.R.P. Mukesh, pictures by Prashant Mitra

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