In Dharamsala, overpopulation of street dogs has been an ongoing issue. There are thousands of stray dogs and the welfare of these animals is rarely considered. In July 2006, a mass killing was issued by the town of Mcleod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala and home to the Dalai Lama) to control the population of stray dogs in the area, by poisoning. A method that is clearly inhumane. Their hard lives typically leave them injured and infected with disease. If a dog is hit by a car, he is left there to suffer and die. Dogs of all ages are seen starving to death on the streets. Unfortunately, throughout the entire state of Himachal Pradesh there are no veterinarian services. Piyara Kutta, in partnership with the Himalayan Nature Society (HNS), run by Arvind Sharma, are working to change the way the community sees, feels and acts towards these animals. Over the past two years, HNS has invited volunteer vets to organize and run ABC (Animal Birth Control) camps for a humane solution in controlling over population of stray dogs by offering free spay and neutering. HNS also has a small piece of land where a shelter has been constructed to house sick and injured animals needing care. Today, we are implementing a rabies vaccination and identification program starting September 28th. It is an essential part of all sterilization programs to end the spread of the deadly virus which kills up to 20,000 people per year in India. It will also end the needless suffering of street dogs. Piyara Kutta is run strictly by the work of volunteers and donations .

DOLLAR FOR DOGS Did you know that $1.00 covers the cost to provide a rabies vaccination for one dog in India? Did you know that 40,000 people die per year of rabies in India? If you are bitten by a rabid animal, most hospitals in India do not have the rabies immunoglobulin to treat you. Donating just one dollar, will not only save a dog, but quite possibly a human life as well. Please support us in putting an end to this needless suffering. DONATE YOUR OLD DOG COLLARS Rabies kills approximately 20,000 people per year in India. Piyara Kutta is launching a rabies vaccination and identification program on September 28, 2008, the United Nations World's Rabies Day. At this time, there is no way of identifying which dogs have been vaccinated nor is there money to implement such a program. The identification of these dogs will allow for proper tracking and will help to improve the strays treatment in society as well as alert the community to which dogs are rabies free. A drop box is located at Farfel's Farm, 906 Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. If you would like to ship your collars to Piyara Kutta, please visit our Contact section and email us for a shipping address. PEACHES FOR POOCHES - Event September 3, 2008 Boulder Farmer's Market Piyara Kutta held it's first event to spread awareness of our cause and to collect donated collars. A big thank you to Linea Rein, Realtor for Colorado Landmark for organizing the successful event! Another big thanks to Heather Burtness, owner of Morton's Orchards, for donating 2 cases of peaches in support of the event. The day was a big success in educating those in attendance regarding the street animal welfare of India.