Punjab’s flood-hit animals get humane touch

As devastating floods wreaked havoc across Punjab, displacing people and impacting more than 2.5 lakh animals, Humane World for Animals India has mobilised an urgent disaster response operation to assist stranded and suffering animals.

In collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society (Punjab), Compassion for Animals Welfare Association and the Animal Husbandry Department, the organisation is delivering emergency aid to the worst-affected districts, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Muktsar.

The recent floods, reported to be the worst since 1988, have caused widespread loss of livestock. Companion animals like dogs and cats have also been left without food, shelter or medical care in affected areas.

Sharing grim accounts from the field, Jaihari AK, senior coordinator of disaster response at Humane World for Animals India, said, “We’ve seen street dogs scavenging through debris. In many villages, animals have gone without food for days. Our team delivered the first batch of fodder and companion animal feed in Jalandhar and Amritsar.”

The team’s priorities include distributing emergency feed to prevent starvation, supplying veterinary medicines for injured and sick animals and providing basic care for companion animals. Despite high water levels preventing access to some remote areas, feed was distributed to local caregivers to sustain animals temporarily.

In Fazilka, farmer Baldev Singh said, “The team arrived with feed and medicines at a time when no one else came. They treated our buffaloes and gave food for our dogs. It has given us hope.”

From Ferozepur, resident Kamalpreet Kaur added, “I saw volunteers wading through waist-deep water just to reach our village. They rescued our goats. Their compassion was overwhelming.”

Dr Shaina Verma from the Indian Red Cross Society (Punjab) said, “It is heartbreaking to witness Punjab struggle with the worst floods in decades. Thousands have lost homes and livelihoods. While rescue teams are doing their best, we urgently need more support.”

The Humane World for Animals has a long history of responding to global disasters — from volcanic eruptions in Guatemala to earthquakes in Nepal and Türkiye and wildfires in Australia and Chile. The organisation also supports refugees and their pets fleeing conflict zones, including Ukraine.