Owning good breed dogs is a recently developed trend in our city. A glimpse of this craze can be witnessed at the dog show organized every year in Mangalore, where several dog owners participate and flaunt their dogs. It is exciting to see the well breed dogs with their fascinating tricks, impressing people and making their owners proud. But, have you ever wondered about those animals that lie on the roads in huge numbers or the dogs that filled the streets some years back? Those animals that do not have the privilege of having owners spend on them or more importantly having owners at all?
Recently I learnt about an NGO called the Animal Care Trust, an organization that looks after animals who are not in the best place in their life. When I visited the place and looked at what they have done, I was amazed.
Animal Care Trust recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India and situated at Shaktinagar is an organization that caters to the needs of animals such as dogs, cats, birds, monkeys, turtles and cattle. It was started in the year 2000 with the idea of helping the helpless, diseased and vulnerable animals.
“This organization was started over a course of three years by a group of animal lovers. In the initial days, we (the founders) looked after the diseased and injured animals at our homes. Gradually, the number grew and we realized the need for having a separate shelter to look after these animals. Thus the shelter came into being”, says Suma Nayak, Honorary Trustee and Treasurer at the Animal Care Trust.
Presently Animal Care Trust takes up several programmes such as Animal Birth Control, Rescue Operations, Anti-Rabies Vaccination Programme, Animal Surgeries, Animal Adoption and Human Education Programmes.
Animal birth control and Vaccination programme is successfully carried out by the Animal Care Trust in co operation with the Mangalore City Corporation. Animals from different localities are picked up by the team and brought to the trust. They are then vaccinated and kept till they recover. Once they are good to be on their own, they are left back to their localities.
To spread awareness among the people about the need of taking care of animals, the Animal Care Trust takes up various programmes including Education Programmes for children and college students. Children from different schools are educated towards showing compassion for animals and treating them well. It also informs people about animal rights, animal adoptions and prevention of cruelty to animals.
The trust also goes out at any part of the day to rescue injured and helpless animals. When they get to know of any injured animal, the team is sent out to get the animal to the shelter. It is then treated at the Animal Care Trust and kept here till the animals get better. Dr. Laxmi, a full time Veterinarian for Animal Care Trust puts in her best to see that the animals are treated well and she strives for a full recovery. The animals that have a full recovery are taken back, while those that are crippled or injured to an extent that they cannot live without assistance find a permanent home at Animal Care Trust.
Animal adoption is also an important part of Animal Care Trust activities. Animal lovers who would like to adopt dogs, cats or other animals can obtain the animal of their choice at this place. The trust also provides people an opportunity to lend a hand, although they may not be able to do it in person. Those who would like to contribute towards the welfare of these animals can do so, by sponsoring for them. An animal can be sponsored on a monthly or a yearly basis wherein the animals feed and medicines will be looked after.
A visit to the place will give you a glimpse of the dedication these members have towards this cause. The team apart from their daily work spends a lot of time, every Sunday and public holiday to look after these animals. Apart from the trustees there are also volunteers who after having visited the place once have continued visiting it, to contribute their share towards this noble effort.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the day, I spoke to a worker at the place who was glad to narrate his daily chores at the place. Cheerfully he speaks of his work, saying he is glad to be a part of this trust that allows dejected animals to find hope.
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