On World Animal Welfare Day, Bangalore Times sheds light on the numerous compassionate groups in the city whose members have devoted their lives to improving the well-being of animals, particularly those that are often neglected. Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, the founder of Bangalore's canine squads, emphasizes that these groups serve as a safety net for animals, acting as advocates for them. She explains that the community comes together to address problems faced by voiceless animals. The main goal is to spread awareness and empower people to take care of animals properly.
Many individuals are uncertain about how to help abandoned or injured dogs. These groups aim to fill this knowledge gap. Mallika Ghosh, a member of the CV Raman Nagar Canine Squad, regularly shares emergency contact information to educate the public on how to respond in such situations. The focus is not solely on reuniting lost dogs with their families, but also on offering guidance on the best course of action.
The canine squads engage in various activities aimed at promoting animal welfare in the local community. These include establishing networks for animal care and protection, prioritizing important issues like spaying/neutering and anti-rabies vaccinations, fostering community participation in animal welfare efforts, building trust and camaraderie within the community, and collaborating with local authorities, such as the BBMP, State Animal Welfare Board, and police, to share knowledge and best practices related to spaying/neutering, preventing animal abuse, facilitating rescues, and addressing cases of cruelty.
In response to the surge in abandoned dogs during the pandemic, exacerbated by false beliefs linking dogs to Covid-19 and the inactivity of India's Animal Birth Control program, members like Parvathi Prabhakar from the Sadashivanagar Canine Squad have taken proactive steps by spaying/neutering around 400 dogs. Their belief is that spaying/neutering is a crucial step in addressing the issue of overpopulation and stray dogs in Bengaluru.
