PAALM (Feeding and Rescues)

INTRODUCTION

Velim fishing jetty lies on the southwest coast of India, in the small state of Goa and is home to approximately one hundred stray dogs. A special feeding program was set up during the COVID-19 lockdown by Mission Rabies (a UK-based organisation) for the dogs at the jetty as their food supply vanished overnight and they were dying from starvation.

Following the lockdown, the feeding program was continued by Mission Rabies Project Manager Julie Corfmat (also a UK Registered Veterinary Nurse) in her spare time and a few volunteers using funds donated by family and friends.

Although most restaurants and hotels reopened in Goa and fishing activity resumed, life for the jetty dogs remains a constant challenge. The dogs are neglected, abused and are susceptible to injuries from fighting with other dogs, adverse weather, collisions with vehicles, infections, chronic disease, and malnutrition.

Since the feeding program commenced, over one hundred and fifty dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated and the situation has dramatically improved. However, each year a fishing ban is implemented during the monsoon months (June to September) to enable sufficient time for the fish to breed along the costal belt of Goa. Again, this means no food for the jetty dogs and their plight is truly heart-breaking.

Funds are needed for feeding during the monsoon, continued (year-round) sterilisation, vaccination, puppy foster-care and veterinary treatment.

FOUNDER PROFILE

Julie Corfmat is a UK Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) currently working as a Project Manager for Mission Rabies. Julie started her career with animals in the UK twenty-seven years ago at a local rescue centre where she worked for five years prior to enrolling at a private veterinary centre to undergo her RVN training. After qualifying, Julie went on to study animal behaviour at Southampton University and set up a dog-training and behavioural service in the veterinary centre where she was employed. Julie also had a passion for wildlife and became an active animal rescuer in her local area.

In 2006, Julie moved to London to assume the position of Critical Care Staff Nurse at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Victoria. During this time, she went on to complete her BSc in Animal Science and following her graduation Julie moved to Vietnam to work for Animals Asia where she rescued Asiatic Black Bears (Moon Bears) from bile farms and campaigned against the dog meat trade. Over the years, Julie travelled to India many times and volunteered for Animal Rescue Kerala as well as for animal welfare projects in Malaysia and Egypt. Whilst in Vietnam, Julie commenced her MSc in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law which she successfully completed in 2019.

In 2015, Julie moved to Goa, India to start her current role with Mission Rabies where she currebtly manages a team of 70-80 people. As a result of the work that Julie and her team have conducted over the past 8 years, Goa has become the first state in India to be officially declared as a ‘Rabies-Controlled Area’. In addition to overseeing the administration of 100,000 vaccines every year, Julie and her team feed, sterilize and rescue hundreds of animals across Goa. Julie also recently published a paper in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science on community attitudes towards stray dogs in Goa. The aim of the paper was to investigate human-dog conflict and to assist those working to reduce the conflict to make India a safer and kinder place for dogs living on the streets.

FORWARD PLAN

Each year to support the dogs through the monsoon, PAALM needs at least fifty bags of dog food (4 x 20 kg bags per week). The minimum amount required for this is £1,000. In addition to food, funds are required for sterilization, vaccination, catching equipment (cages, leads, muzzles etc.), veterinary treatment and medicines. To sterilize and vaccinate ten female dogs, it costs approximately £200 excluding transportation (i.e., fuel). PAALM relies on local animal welfare organizations across Goa to sterilize and treat any sick or injured animals. Julie has built a good relationship with these organisations over the years and maintaining animal welfare during catching, rescue, transportation and surgery is PAALM's top priority.

In May 2023, thank you to fundraisers in the UK, Julie managed to secure enough funds to purchase a vehicle. The vehicle is used for rescuing sick and injured animals, stray animal feeding and transporting animals for sterilisation. Later in 2023, the official organisation was launched and the Strays of Velim Fishing Jetty was rebranded as Perseverance for Animals as All Lives Matter (PAALM).

The palm tree symbolizes Julie’s volunteer work in Kerala which is also known as the ‘land of the coconut tree’ and is where Julie's passion to save as many stray dogs as possible in India began. Although the structure and goal of the organisation is still a work in progress, the rebranding will enable PAALM to achieve so much more not only for the jetty dogs, but for many other animals across Goa.

Thank you so much for your support and for being part of this special journey. We could not do it without you!