Get into action

Payal Sodhi

Compassion without action is quite common, but I would like to add another aspect to it, that action has to be practical and beneficial for the animal. It is good to see people coming forward to rescue animals and even take care of them. But sometimes refuse to understand the simple fact that we should help an animal the way he/she needs to be helped and not what suits us or our thought process. Here are some easy and practical tips that will not only help more than one animal but will also ensure that the community/neighbourhood also gets involved. So, here we go:

• Getting vaccinations for street dogs, their treatment, and protection are the right ways of helping them but all of this can go waste if they are simply not sterilized. Hence meet the Resident Welfare Association in your neighbourhood and start getting the street dogs sterilized. This will not only control their population in that area, it will also ensure that they are all healthy and less territorial- this is good for all. But do remember that they are all released back in the same area after being vaccinated against rabies and have an identification mark. Also ensure that the rabies vaccination is repeated each year. Since their population will be controlled, it will be easy for you to keep a record of all their details. 
•  If you help street animals then you need to know all the details of the local animal welfare organizations as well as the local government veterinary clinics. While approaching them, make sure that you get the following information:
• What are their services and their timings.
• It is most important to know if they run an ambulance service. You cannot rescue all street animals, most of the time you need help in picking/ catching them up for their treatment. Dogs with skin problem and maggot wounds are most difficult to catch and shift. Hence the ambulance staff will be essential. Do circulate their ambulance number to your entire neighbourhood, so that anyone can help and yes it is a shared responsibility. Good work should never be restrictive, do it and then make sure that others also join in.  

(Sodhi is an animal rights activist)