NGO demands permission to manage SPCA shelter home

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 23

The Society for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (SPCA), the only shelter home in the city for animals might get support from the People for Animals (PFA), an NGO working in animal rights and rescue. The NGO has written to the Deputy Commissioner, requesting permission to look after the SPCA shelter home.

Shalini, patron, PFA, has been appointed as the new head of the anti-cruelty wing that will be established in the city by the PFA, in collaboration with the SPCA.

Giving details of the initiative, Shalini said the move was aimed at scaling up animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the city. “Maneka Gandhi, the national patron of the SPCA nationally, has appointed me as the head of the animal anti-cruelty wing under the People for Animal,” she said. She has since been working for animals at a shelter home in Rani Ka Bagh. Now Shalini said the SPCA shelter home would be rebuilt and stocked to take care of animals and rehabilitate them, medically as well as otherwise.

“A shelter home should not be like a prison for animals, our job is to rescue them, treat them and then offer them for adoption. That is why the PFA would now urge the DC to hand over the shelter home to them. We will look for funding to establish shelter-cum-adoption home here,” she said.

The SPCA shelter is in dire need of attention because of its dismal infrastructure. Situated outside the Hathi Gate, the shelter is a refuge for deserted animals and birds. At times, injured stray dogs, monkeys, cows, calves or avains are brought here for treatment and refuge. It requires huge funds to provide them with food and medical aid and the SPCA has off late been struggling to make available the money required.