The Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary

In 1968, The Theosophical Society erected a building in the Besant Gardens premises of the Society at Adyar for running an animal dispensary, with facilities for hospitalization when necessary.  In 2000 the International President, Mrs Radha Burnier, inaugurated the new Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary in the same location.  It has 3 veterinarians and treats an average of 35 animals per day, including dogs, cats, a variety of birds such as parrots, pigeons, poultry, but also cattle and buffaloes.  On rare occasions the dispensary has treated a camel, an elephant and a pony.  Approximately two thousand cases of minor surgery are carried out each year, which include animal birth control procedures.  Animals are also vaccinated against rabies.  Around 10,000 animals are treated every year.  The Dispensary also conducts an Outreach Programme to treat many different animals in distant villages with no access to veterinary help, within a radius of 100 kilometres from Chennai.