Let us care for Stray

              It is a heart breaking experience when the replies on my surveys regarding the issue of stray animals include words such as “should be gotten rid of”, “aren’t doing any good anyway” and so on. Unless and until people sensitize themselves, the condition of the stray animals can never improve. 

            I do not know if my words will make any difference in your perspective towards stray dogs. I am afraid too. What if your animosity stems from having lost someone dear to you at the hands of stray menace? Or, are you among those unwilling to see any solution other than having them all put down? I understand that a range of circumstances may have lead to these views, but at the same time, I would humbly request for you to hear me out.

           Imagine a human being sitting outside your home, begging for food, completely starved, and asking for nothing but just a little bit of assistance and concern. Will you shoot them away? No, the humanity within us will not allow such indifference.

             If we can care for humans then why not demonstrate the same care for living beings that are weaker than us, and cannot take care of themselves even if they wanted to? I am in no position to preach on moral values, however, as a witness to the insensitivity we as a society have often meted out to voiceless animals. 

           There are also those who turn away from their responsibility by saying that it is the municipal corporation’s job to handle them. To some extent, they are correct, but considering the condition of the local animal shelter that merely cages the dogs without the provision of basic amenities, this is yet another way of brushing off responsibility. Our corporation has turned a deaf ear to all our pleas, and they make little effort to ensure that animals are kept in good surroundings and made available for adoption!

           I know that there are many dog lovers in our city who are genuinely willing to do something for the cause; it is just that they need a direction. if we all can get together and contribute our bits to the cause, it can go a long way. To begin with, the least we can do, is keep a bowl of food and water outside our homes! Secondly, it is important to support the people who are trying to help – fighting with them over the so called nuisance that the dogs might make, if they are fed, will take us nowhere!

            We need to start treating the stray dogs as living beings and not trash on roads that are black spots around our homes. It is to understand also that they breathe and feel just like us. Stop treating them as if they are not needed. Let’s all join hands and get together for the cause! 

(For further reference refer to my page wecareforthestray on Instagram or

website www.sadah13sarkaria.wixsite.com/website)

Sadah Sarkaria

email – sadah13sarkaria@gmail.com