Several volunteers of non-government organizations (NGOs) have come forward to feed dogs, cows and birds facing starvation due to lockdown announced to contain spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
INDIA --- Not just humans, even stray dogs are suffering due to lockdown in the Diamond City. Hence, several volunteers of non-government organizations (NGOs) have come forward to feed dogs, cows and birds facing starvation due to lockdown announced to contain spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to lockdown, stray dogs are not getting leftovers and birds grains and water in the scorching heat.
Snehal Patel, a volunteer of Nature Club Surat (NCS), an NGO working for rescue of birds and animals, told TOI, “Food and water have become scarce for birds and animals after janata curfew and announcement of 21-day lockdown. Hungry stray dogs pose a serious threat to humans and are likely to attack people. If they die of hunger, their carcasses can also cause serious health issues to people.”
Patel said, “We have about 30 volunteers in different parts of the city who are feeding stray dogs. These dogs are not used to eating dog food, so we have started a kitchen for cooking boiled rice for them. We are also putting up water bowls at different places so that animals and birds can quench their thirst.”
Darshan Desai, a volunteer of Prayas, an NGO working for environment and animal rescue, said, “We have a team of 70 volunteers who visit different areas during night hours to feed stray dogs. We collect leftovers from residential societies and feed stray animals. Stray animals are not getting food to eat ever since lockdown was announced.”
Desai added, “We will have to continue feeding stray animals and birds till April 14. At present, we are feeding over 350 stray dogs every day. We have also put up water pots at various spots across the city and regularly fill them to quench the thirst of animals and birds.”
- TOI