HISTORY OF BLUE CROSS AS VETERINARY CARE EMBLEM
An organisation called “OUR DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE” was founded on 10th May, 1897 in London to take care of working Horses in the streets of London and opened up Hospitals to provide required treatments for needy horses and an exclusive Hospital was started in 1906.
During the Balkan War, lots of horses were seriously injured and huge funds was an immediate requirement for treating the Horses. Thus, “BLUE CROSS FUND” was instituted. When the First World War Broke out in 1914, again a massive aid was required and huge contribution was made by many to manage the situation. In other parts of England and in other countries, Hospitals were established with huge contributions from all over the world, to the tune of present money value of Rs.7 million Dollars in 1918. During the Second World War, about 3.5 lacs animals were treated by the organisation.
The efforts of the League were highly appreciated worldwide and the organisation grew steadily. The Official title of the League was changed to “THE BLUE CROSS” in 1950, later in 2011, as “BLUE CROSS”.
The services of Blue Cross are Manifold. Its major functions are: Rehoming unwanted Animals, providing Healthcare for pets where the owners cannot afford to pay for treatment of their pets, education on animal Welfare, counselling of persons who lost their pets, providing Ambulance Service, running mobile clinics, animal adoption, aiding to persons adopting small animals and Horses, providing advises to pet owners on Animal behaviour who have adopted animals.
The Blue Cross of India was established during the year 1959 by Captain V. Sundaram in Chennai with his family members and few other members and grown as one of the largest animal Welfare organisations in India. First, they rescued the street dogs which were caught by the City Corporation for the purpose of killing them due to the fear of Rabies, gave Anti Rabies Vaccines and carried out birth control measures. About 130 street dogs were caught and killed by the Corporation every day. Blue Cross, after vaccinating and spaying, encouraged people to adopt such dogs and gave free veterinary Service and advise on management of animals throughout its lifetime.
The Chennai Corporation, realising the better results and the noble concept of Blue Cross, changed its policy of “Catch and Kill , agreed to work with them and stopped killing street dogs and joined hands for Birth Control measures and vaccination of Street Dogs. The procedure is followed even today. The number of human deaths in Chennai due to rabies dropped from 120 in 1996 to zero in 2007 and in 2010 the Corporation of Chennai declared Chennai to be rabies-free. However, few deaths are being reported sporadically due to the huge number of street dogs and non-co-operation of public.
Presently, Blue Cross has started their chapters in almost all States & UTs. Blue Cross also is involved in medical waste management. In co-ordination with Kennel Clubs, and State Animal Husbandry Departments, they arrange Dog Shows in many Cities regularly to encourage best animal management and recognising owners raising their pets with high standards. Apart from common people, students show greater interests in Animal rehabilitation activities and it is expected that Blue Cross will grow with maximum potential due to the genuine and noble cause and overwhelming support of public.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
