On World Animal Welfare Day, Bangalore Times shines a light on the city’s numerous groups comprised of dedicated individuals working tirelessly towards improving the lives of animals, particularly those who are often neglected. These groups serve as a safety net for animals, as explained by Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, the founder of the city’s canine squads. She emphasizes that members of these groups go the extra mile to advocate for voiceless animals. The main goal is to spread awareness and empower people to care for animals.

Many people may feel unsure about how to respond to abandoned or injured dogs. To address this gap in knowledge, groups like the CV Raman Nagar Canine Squad, led by Mallika Ghosh, regularly share essential emergency contact numbers to educate the community on proper actions to take in such situations. The focus is not only on reuniting lost dogs with their families but also on promoting responsible care for animals.

These canine squads contribute to animal welfare by establishing local communities dedicated to animal care and guardianship. They prioritize important issues like neutering and anti-rabies vaccination, enhance community participation in animal welfare efforts, build a sense of community and trust, and collaborate with relevant authorities such as BBMP, State Animal Welfare Board, and the police. Additionally, they share valuable knowledge and best practices regarding neutering, abuse prevention, rescue operations, and addressing cruelty.

In response to the surge in abandoned dogs due to Covid-19-related misconceptions and the temporary halt of India's Animal Birth Control (ABC) program during the pandemic, Parvathi Prabhakar from the Sadashivanagar Canine Squad took proactive measures by neutering around 400 dogs to combat the issue. Emphasizing the importance of neutering, she believes it is the most effective solution to address the challenges faced by the animal community in Bengaluru.