A shelter-cum-hospital for stray cattle, birds in Rohtak

Sunit Dhawan

Rohtak, August 28

While most of the gaushalas located in and around Rohtak town struggle with the upkeep of healthy cattle, the Lawaris Peedit Pashu Sewa Sangh takes care of hundreds of injured and diseased stray cattle, apart from other animals like dogs, cats, monkeys and birds like peacocks, crows, and parrots etc.

Established in 2007, the sangh has two centres in Rohtak town and two in Bahu Akbarpur village in the district. It has 80 employees, including three veterinary surgeons and seven VLDAs (assistants). It has four animal ambulances, three tractors and two motorcycles.

A visit to the centre located opposite the Rohtak Range IGP office on the Delhi Road revealed that several cows, bulls, calves, cats, dogs and birds were under different stages of treatment. Apart from the centre employees, some local residents were also seen serving animals.

“As and when we are informed about any injured or diseased stray cow, bull, calf, cat, dog, monkey or bird, we send an animal ambulance to fetch it to our centre. We have facilities like operation theatre and dispensary,” says Jagdish Malik, the chief caretaker at the centre.

The four centres, located on donated, public or panchayat land, incur a total expenditure of Rs 16 to 18 lakh per month on an average.

On being asked how the expenses are taken care of, Malik maintains that donations by people are their major source of income. He says they try to accommodate and treat as many stray animals as possible, but face space and financial constraints. He discloses that as of now, the sangh is under a debt of nearly Rs 4 lakh.

“Ever since the establishment of the BJP government in Haryana, we have got Rs 17 lakh in three instalments from the state authorities. We deeply appreciate the state government’s help,” he said.

Tasvir Singh Hooda, a Haryana Roadways mechanic who serves at the centre voluntarily on a regular basis, points out that the sangh management does not send out its office-bearers or volunteers to seek donations.

“The donors who know about our functioning come to the centres to donate money, fodder and other materials required,” he says, adding that some shopkeepers also volunteer to get donation-collection boxes at their establishments.

Apart from residents and commuters, the district administrative authorities seek the help of the centre management for treatment of stray cattle and other animals.

Gaushala offers 10 acres for stray bull shelter 

Jind: To curb the menace of stray bulls in the district, private organisation Shri Gaushala has offered 10 acres to the state government for Nandishala here. The administration put the count of stray bulls at nearly 2,500. Members of Shri Gaushala met Deputy Commissioner Vinay Singh recently and offered land for a shelter for stray bulls. The district administration will form a sub-committee for the construction of Nandishala, while a proposal will be sent to the government so that construction starts soon. "I discussed the matter with Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog president Bhani Ram Mangla. He assured financial support to the administration," the DC said. Sant Lal Chugh, vice-president, Shri Gaushala, said: "I am hopeful that the government utilises land for the welfare of stray bulls. If it fails to use land for the intended purpose, Shri Gaushala will take the land back."