Kristin Bauer supports Collars Not Cruelty in Bangladesh

Dec 8, 2011

The south Asian nation of Bangladesh has witnessed its first vaccinations under the Collars Not Cruelty campaign, which has attracted the backing of True Blood star Kristin Bauer.

Bauer, who plays vampire Pam in the smash-hit series, announced her support for WSPA's Collars Not Cruelty campaign after hearing about the brutal ways in which nearly 20 million dogs are killed worldwide every year, often in failed attempts to control rabies.

"I was absolutely shocked when I heard that governments around the world are resorting to poisoning, shooting or gassing dogs as a way to try and prevent the spread of rabies," said Bauer. "It's so important to spread the word about WSPA's effective and humane alternative solution – mass vaccination – so that this horrible cruelty ends. We must continue to demand collars, not cruelty, in the fight against rabies."

Animal-loving Bauer is currently filming the fifth series of True Blood and is the second international celebrity to put support behind WSPA's Collars Not Cruelty after renowned singer Leona Lewis launched the campaign in September.

Just the beginning

Kristin Bauer and her dog Ozman
© WSPA

On September 28th this year, also World Rabies Day, WSPA announced a project in Bangladesh supporting the national government to implement a pilot campaign of vaccinations in the country's principal resort town, Cox's Bazar. This would pave the way for a nation-wide vaccination campaign across Bangladesh, which, like other countries in the region, has an endemic rabies problem.

The national Government subsequently ordered local authorities to halt the inhumane killing of dogs in Cox's Bazar and the dog vaccination program got underway. WSPA-trained vets moved through the town, assisted by dog handlers from our partner organization, Sri Lanka's Blue Paw Trust, who are also involved in a WSPA-led rabies-control project in Sri Lanka. Now, the pilot project in Cox’s Bazar has been completed with around 3,400 dogs vaccinated against rabies.

"Our Collars Not Cruelty campaign helped to initiate the successful vaccination pilot program in Cox's Bazar, which we now hope will be implemented across Bangladesh," said Ray Mitchell, International Campaigns Director at WSPA. "Now, with Kristin's support and her ability to reach an even wider audience, we are hoping to continue this positive momentum and show other governments and communities everywhere that a world without rabies does not mean a world without dogs."

Get Involved

WSPA also announced the first-ever global virtual dog march, during which 100,000 dogs will be let loose across the Internet on Jan. 24, 2012. People worldwide are encouraged to participate today by collaring one of the 100,000 virtual dogs that will "walk" in the event.

You can also support WSPA's work to end the needless suffering of animals by making a donation today.