VASCO
Mormugao took a major step towards organised street animal care with the launch of its first dedicated Animal Ambulance and Rescue Van, aimed at providing timely assistance to injured, sick and accident-hit animals across the municipal area.
The ambulance has been launched by Trailblazer Animal Care Foundation, a citizen-led not-for-profit organisation working in the field of street animal welfare. The fully equipped rescue vehicle has been donated by VACman Sanitation Solutions Pvt Ltd and will be used to safely transport animals in distress to veterinary hospitals and treatment centres.
The launch ceremony was held at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, and also marked the completion of two years of community-based animal care work by Trailblazer in Mormugao. Mormugao Municipal Council chairperson Girish Borkar, councillor Deepak Naik and others were present for the programme. The vehicle was inaugurated and flagged off by VACman directors Anup Keny and Asha Keny.
Speaking on the occasion, Trailblazer founder and advisory director Vrinda Agarwal stated that the ambulance symbolises a firm commitment to ensure that animals in pain or distress are not left unattended on the streets. She noted that quick access to transport often makes the difference between life and death in road accidents and medical emergencies involving stray animals.
Trailblazer director Siddhant Shetty informed that the ambulance has already been operational since January 20 and has assisted more than 50 stray dogs and cats within a short span of time. He added that the vehicle is also playing an important role in supporting treatment, post-operative care and ethical animal birth control initiatives in coordination with veterinarians.
