Vaccination to diagnostics: US’ HDRF to set up pet care center in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hermione Duncan Reddy Foundation (HDRF), a pet-friendly organization, has announced to set up a center in Hyderabad.

It will be HDRF’s first center in Asia.

Founded in Tampa, Florida, HDRF has already established five world-class centers for pet care in the United States, with plans to establish a hospital dedicated to animals and a reference and diagnostic lab in India.

The event was attended by Dr. Sree Reddy, Founder, President HDRF, USA, Sandhya Kanuganti, co-founder of HDRF, and actor, politician, and pet lover R Sarath Kumar.

Dr. Sree Reddy said: "India currently has 32 million pets, and the population is growing at a rate of more than 12% per year. During the pandemic, it grew to thirty-two million, which is almost a two times growth in the last couple of years. 14 million pets die annually due to treatable illnesses, and pet parents are unable to afford the care. While the industry has grown significantly, there are still challenges that need to be addressed."

HDRF is first setting up a veterinary diagnostic lab which will have all the necessary equipment, including blood machines, CT scans, and MRIs, under one roof. However, the exact location of the hospital is yet to be finalized, but they plan to establish it in a secure area within the city. Once the diagnostic lab is up and running, they will move on to setting up a multi-specialty hospital with different departments like internal medicine, surgery, oncology, ophthalmology, and dermatology.

“We will begin our vaccination program in three to four months. Additionally, we are launching a microchip project in the next two to three months, which will continue for six months or longer until we achieve at least an 80% microchip penetration rate in the city. The vaccination drive will begin on March 24 at Dog’s Park, Necklace Road,” Dr. Reddy said.

The pet care industry in India is struggling due to the absence of a well-structured and coordinated pet care community. Pet owners rely on local veterinarians, who may lack the expertise and resources required to deliver sufficient care. Furthermore, pet-specific products and services are scarce in many locations, rendering it tough for pet parents to acquire the necessary items for their furry friends. To address these challenges, the foundation aims to establish a robust pet care community and offer critical resources to pet owners.

“A free microchip program will be soon launched for all stray dogs in India, which will provide identification for these animals. This initiative is expected to benefit around 80% of pets in the country. The program aims to prevent dog bites and decrease the number of rabies-related deaths, which currently stands at 20,000 in India, compared to 50,000 worldwide. Most of these deaths occur among individuals less than 15 years old. This program will create a database of all the dogs in the program, and it will be the first of its kind in the country. The microchip will be administered through a simple injection, and it is about the size of a grain of rice.” He said

HDRF works closely with all stakeholders, including governments and municipal corporations, to bring awareness of pet care, handling pets, and stray vaccinations. The foundation will soon launch pet diagnostics and reference lab facilities for the first time in India in Hyderabad.

HDRF has been helping thousands of pets and pet parents to date, spending over $2 million in funds, mostly donated by Dr. Sree Reddy and Sandhya Kanuganti.

"We are introducing a state-of-the-art pet hospital in Hyderabad, which will cater to the health needs of pets and strays. Additionally, we are set to launch pet diagnostics and reference lab facilities, marking the first of its kind in India. We aim to bring top-notch infrastructure and strategy to India, creating a self-sustained foundation that can help a larger number of pets,” Sandhya said.

Actor Sarath Kumar said: "Sree Reddy's selfless service to the pet community in India is truly inspirational. His dedication to providing quality care for our furry friends is a testament to the love and compassion he has for animals.”

The actor who owns 13 dogs said, “As pet lovers, we must treat them as equals and provide them with the care and attention they deserve. Sree Reddy's foundation and upcoming multispecialty clinic for pets is a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal. His efforts are a shining example for all Indians to come back to our roots and do some service for our communities.”

Speaking about the recent incident of a 5-year-old attacked by a stray dog in Karimnagar district, Vijaya Reddy Kamineni, a pet lover who adopted 12 stray dogs said: “The government should extend their support to us, particularly in rural areas where dogs are being poisoned and abandoned. Instead of such inhumane acts, the government should assist in creating awareness and organizing camps for vaccination drives and the ABC program. Providing shelter for a certain period and encouraging adoption can also be a helpful initiative.”

Dr. Reddy said: “Our foundation has set up several grants for NGOs, and they can reach out to us for financial assistance. We are committed to providing financial aid to those who are genuinely and consistently devoted to helping animals through our foundation.”

HDRF aims to support the government of Telangana in its endeavors to end the cruelty, suffering, and pain of animals through Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs and vaccination drives. The foundation is committed to making a difference and providing for families who need help with the care of animals in need.