How big a problem is rabies in India today?
CK: It is a major problem. The sad part is that this is a preventable disease and can be controlled by vaccination if the will is there. Abolitionist: What other animals are you working for Chinny? CK: Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, an animal is defined as “all living creatures other than man”. The mandate of the Blue Cross is to help all animals in distress. From 1996 to 2002, I was on the Indian Government Committee for the Purpose of Control & Supervision of Experiments on Animals. The first Rules for this were enacted during this period. From 2000 to 2004, I was the Vice Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The AWBI is the apex body for NGOs in animal welfare and we have about 2200 animal welfare groups in India which are recognised by the AWBI. Most of them are cattle rescue centres with about 70 SPCAs thrown in. Animals worked for include all laboratory animals, companion animals, farm animals and animals in en
