Saving the strays: Good samaritans feed furry friends in Chennai

TNN | Mar 25, 2020, 04.20 AM IST

CHENNAI: M Neelagandan got married five months ago. But he will be next meeting his wife only after the lockdown period ends. For, the animal lover has volunteered to stay at the Blue Cross of India shelter during this time of need to help care for the voiceless.

“They need us now more than ever and it gives me great satisfaction to be here for them,” says Neelagandan, who runs a few canteens in the city. “They are shut now, so I have the time to volunteer. My wife supports what I do.”

The lockdown will affect not just humans but animals too. On Monday, Maneka Gandhi appealed on Twitter, requesting people to feed animals. “In the event of a lockdown, if they are not fed, many will die, creating another serious problem. I have asked all animal welfare workers to feed the animals during this period. I will be doing the same,” she wrote.

Animal welfare activists in the city and other individuals have risen to the challenge. With hotels shut, stray animals in the city are finding it difficult to find food. If many starve and die, it will worsen the situation.

At shelters, volunteers and staff are staying on to do their bit. “Twenty two of us, including two vets, two volunteers and Blue Cross staff will stay at the shelter to care for the sick and injured animals. We have 1,263 animals and have to ensure they are fed nutritious meals, and get exercise. We also have to attend to the upkeep of the shelter and go on rescues,” says Dawn Williams, general manager, Blue Cross.

Dinesh Baba, who runs Cloud No 9 Kennel and Nursing Care, is providing cooked food to street animals. “On Monday, I cooked about 75kg of dog food, and fed strays,” says Dinesh, who commutes from Porur to Injambakkam every day.

Sumita Pai, who lives in Alwarpet, has been regularly feeding birds and community animals but plans to make a more concerted effort during the lockdown. “I will follow all government guidelines and directives. I will feed the animals on my own and step out only for a brief period,” she says.

Animal lovers say it is necessary to feed strays but do so in a responsible manner. “You can feed animals in your locality so you don’t have to step out much. Also, do not do it in groups, social distancing is must,” says Dinesh.

In a related development, the Animal Welfare Board of India wrote to all the chief secretaries of all the states and UTs, saying that it had come to their notice that a large number of pet shops or animal breeding facilities where animals and birds are kept for sale are now shutdown. "The animals stranded in such places are likely to suffer and die without food, water, temperature control, etc. All such pet shops are to be evacuated by the State Animal Welfare Boards through SPCAs. Where there is no SPCA available, the district administration shall ensure to check and evacuate all animals," it said in the letter.