Mad Dog Trust - About Us

ABOUT US

Mad Dogs trust was started by my husband Brian Shepherd and me. We left the UK in 2007 and travelled overland for four months with our Dalmatians, Monty, Izzy and Wooster. On arrival at Fort Cochin two and a half years ago, Brian and I could find no vet for a cut leg on a Saturday night or all day Sunday.

On seeing this and the plight of all the street animals, we decided to try to remedy the situation. That was the humble beginnings. Since then we have gained experience working voluntarily at the government veterinary clinic, helping with a free medical camp set up by care for Animals Charitable Trust and organising a fund raiser for them.

Brian Shepherd

We managed to fund a surgery at Veli in Fort Kochi, where we employ a wonderful vet, Dr. Martina Yohanan. We take in and treat sick and injured street animals and where appropriate sterilise them before returning them to their friends.

Privately owned animals that due to illness, age or change of heart on behalf of the owners are put out on the street to fend for themselves, we treat and then need to re-home. As we will not accept homes that chain or cage this sometimes takes time money and energy but we have, so far, got there in the end! As we have no government funding we treat occasionally privatelyowned animals in return for a donation which enables us to vaccinate every street dog we handle against rabies and distemper.

Why Mad Dogs Trust?

Or to give it it's full name: Mad Dogs (and a Scot).

Mad dogs in honour of Noel Cowards' song that observed the absurdities of the English in Asia:

In Bengal to move at all is seldom if ever done
But Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun

Out in the mid-day,
Out in the mid-day, Out in the mid-day,
Out in the mid-day sun. etc.

And a Scot in memory of my husband who died here in October of this year, without whom I would never have been here. Thank you my darling, darling.

With Love,
Penny Shepherd.

Penny Koch Shepherd