Gujarat’s 1962 Karuna Animal Ambulance Treats Over 10.95 Lakh Animals And Birds In 9 Years

Gujarat’s 1962 Karuna Animal Ambulance service has treated more than 10.95 lakh injured, sick and abandoned animals and birds across the state since its launch in 2017.

The service, which completed nine years on Tuesday, operates 37 ambulances across Gujarat and receives more than 2,500 calls every day.

10.95 Lakh Animals Treated In Nine Years

The Karuna Animal Ambulance service was launched on October 6, 2017, by then Chief Minister Vijay Rupani with 11 ambulances.

Following the response from residents, another 26 ambulances were added in 2018, taking the state’s fleet to 37.

The ambulances provide free on-the-spot treatment for animals and birds suffering from traffic accidents, serious injuries, excessive bleeding, poisoning, bloating and fractures.

Emergency treatment is also provided to wild animals in coordination with the Forest Department when required.

2,500 Calls Received Every Day

The 1962 helpline, operated through the main control room in Ahmedabad, receives more than 2,500 calls a day.

Once a call is received, the nearest ambulance is dispatched to the location. The service operates 365 days a year, from 8am to 8pm.

Veterinary doctors at the control room also provide medical guidance to ambulance teams when required.

Treatment For Kite String Injuries

The service also plays a major role during Uttarayan through the annual Karuna Abhiyan.

More than 2,000 animals and birds are treated every year for injuries caused by kite strings, helping rescue them from potentially fatal wounds.

Veterinary Teams And GPS Tracking

Each ambulance is staffed by a trained veterinary officer and a driver-cum-attendant. The vehicles are equipped to provide emergency treatment at the site itself.

All 37 ambulances are tracked through GPS-based AVLT technology to help monitor their movement and coordinate emergency responses.

Government-EMRI PPP Model

The 1962 Karuna Animal Ambulance service is operated under a public-private partnership between the Gujarat Government’s Animal Husbandry Department and EMRI Green Health Services.

The service currently covers urban areas, municipal corporations and district headquarters across Gujarat.