In Dec 2013, I made a visit to the Himalayas with wildlife photographer, Mukhiya Gurung, a good friend who lived and grew up in Nepal's Himalaya.

During our search for Himalayan wildlife, we learned from locals that populations of ground foraging birds like Kalij pheasant, Blood pheasants, Snow pigeons and Snowcocks, as well as mammals like red panda, blue sheep and musk deer are being chased, attacked, and sometimes killed by populations of unmanaged stray dogs within the national park. Villagers we spoke to estimate that 97-98% of free-roaming dogs are uncared for. These dogs that do not receive care or food have to venture into the forests to find their food. Woodcutters have reported seeing packs of dogs attacking red panda in the low lying bamboo forests. Dogs have also been reported taking young wild animals like baby musk deer as well as young livestock. The dogs also chase off the native foxes and jackal that occasionally venture to the low areas especially during winter when food resources are scarce.


Some desperate villagers who have had their livestock taken by the dogs, turn to deal with the dogs in their own way by feeding them food laced with poisons. The undisposed dog carcasses are then consumed by wild vultures. Locals have reported seeing sick vultures sitting on hillsides unable to fly after eating dog carcasses. The impact on scavenging animals that feed on these poisoned carcasses is still yet to be known.

Disease spread from stray dogs to wild animals can also have dire consequences for wildlife. Vaccinating dogs against rabies and canine distemper is known to have significant positive impact on both wildlife and human populations that live together with these dogs. Vaccinating the animals also means people no longer have to live in fear of 1) becoming infected, and 2) being unable to afford the expensive medical attention that is required to treat these diseases should they become infected. When we take that fear away, we also take away the need for villagers to indiscriminately and inhumanely kill these animals through improvised methods. Poisoned baits set to attract stray dogs may also attract other wild canids like foxes and jackal.

The unmanaged dog population causes distress to wild animals, farm animals, people, and the dogs themselves. We aim to help manage this population by conducting a Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (CNVR) program in May for 200 dogs!


Sterilization can help:
1) Reduce aggression (toward other dogs as well as wildlife and people)
2) Reduction in urine marking
3) Reduce roaming behavior
4) Reduce injuries/infections from dog fights

This project in May will be our pilot project. If it is successful, our aim is to replicate the program in other more remote areas of Nepal where unmanaged domestic dog populations continue to proliferate simply because the region is too remote and conducting field neutering camps are especially challenging logistically, as well as financially.


Our objective is to develop a longterm relationship with rural communities, to teach, engage and empower them to manage their community dog populations for the benefit of their livestock, environment, and themselves.

The Himalayan Mutt Project will be collaborating with the Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART) based in Pokhara for this CNVR expedition. HART has successfully implemented and maintained a CNVR project in the rural district of Ilam, east Nepal, for the past three years. We share their vision to develop long term solutions through community engagement and mutual support.

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The Incredible Nepal team

Medicine and veterinary supplies (excluding travel, food, and accommodation) will cost approximately SGD21 per dog, or SGD4200 for 200 dogs.

We anticipate another USD11,000 to cover the travel, food, and accommodation for our core 15-person team that will comprise: 1 team leader, 2 veterinary surgeons, 2 vet assistants, 5 animal handlers (catching, handling, pre-medication), and 5 volunteers. As the region we are targeting is remote, and limited to dirt road access, traveling costs are inherently high. This is the barrier that has kept animal welfare organisations out of reach of these communities for so many decades. Clearly, the funds we are trying to raise with this campaign comprise only a fraction of the REAL COSTS. Why have we set our target below our actual costs? Because we won't receive a cent unless our target is met. If we set our target too high and fail to reach it, it would mean having to forsake any support at all. Our strategy is to establish a realistic target for this campaign, but aim to over achieve our goal.

The two field vets can operate on approximately 35 dogs per day, thus the field camp is estimated to require approximately 10-15 days, including days for dog catching, post-operative recuperation, and traveling.


Himalayan Mutt Project is also collaborating with HART so that we can save costs on essential equipment such as dog catching equipment, field medical tents, and dog holding cages etc. Most importantly, HART has had extensive experience conducting field CNVR camps in rural east Nepal, and we would like to tap on their expertise!

We are still in the process of finalising the funds required for the logistical aspect of this endeavour! As we get details, we will update this page so you can keep abreast with developments!

Nepal is undoubtedly a very challenging landscape to work in. The Himalayas itself poses many logistical challenges. We only have two small windows to work within each year - Spring and Autumn. Summer is a dangerous season to work in because monsoon rains bring landslides and many mountain roads are closed during this period. Similarly, winter is harsh and long, and heavy snow makes most of the Himalaya virtually inaccessible. Even locals leave their homes during these periods to winter in lower towns and cities.

Another challenge worth mentioning is the potential for our efforts to be impeded by corruption, red-tape or a generally inefficient, and in some instances, non-existent social/political structure.

Directors of municipalities, village districts, and officials in the relevant departments such as Conservation, Environment, and Health have to be briefed and informed and approval sought. This has the potential to be a long and tedious process.


Our May deadline my very well shift, but that's not important. What's important is that it DOES HAPPEN. And ensuring that it happens when the community and its leaders are ready for it, is essential especially since we plan to develop longterm relationships with the district so that we may return to assess the results of the project and continue to nurture it.

The Himalayan Mutt Project is working together with influential members of the Himalayan community, with a reputable and trusted rapport. These determined individuals have had a vast experience working within this social and political structure, and we are confident that together with their support, we will be able to overcome these obstacles!