Beyond the Cuddle: What can we do to help animals around us?

In India, there is a very large population of stray animals. We are daily bombarded by cute cat/dog videos and animal rescue stories. Most of us give those videos a ‘Like’ or even a ‘Love’ and move on. However, there are a lot of different ways that these animals can be helped, and we can do our part to help them live their best lives.

We, as a society, think that if we like, comment and share posts - it’ll somehow help those in need. However, are we really doing anything for the animals around us?

Osha Shetty is the founder of the Cat Studio and Centre Manager at CUPA Second Chance Adoption Centre in Bangalore. She is a mum to three cats and one dog. In a chat with SheThePeople.TV, she gave us some expert tips on how doing little things can help animals in a big way.

Osha Shetty, founder of the Cat Studio and a Centre Manager for CUPA , Bangalore

Osha says, “There are a few things people can do to help these animals in a small way. The first thing is to keep a look out and help dogs and cats with their essentials, which is vaccinations and deworming”.

If you think this might be a difficult thing to do because some of us are not experts in catching the strays and taking them to the vet. She explained, “There are mobile pet services, who you can call, and they come and do the needful. You don’t really have to do much, other than telling the doctor what the dog/cat might need and fix up a day and time for them to come”. Now, it seems simple - just a phone call! Phew.

Also Read: How This NGO In Pune Is Changing Lives For Pets

“Another thing people can do is to sponsor a dog at the shelter. They just have to go to one of the shelters like CUPA and sponsor the dog’s food, vaccine, and other needs for a month, six months or a year”, Osha adds. “Of course, you can feed the strays in your area, even one meal a day for them is enough. It’ll help them in so many ways.”

Jessica Jerusha, an animal welfare worker in Bangalore

"The smallest of gestures make the biggest difference these animals."

We also spoke to Jessica Jerusha, who runs Jeru's Loving Vacation Home for Animals and is an animal-welfare worker in Bangalore. She said, "As summers are approaching if you can put out a bowl of water for the dogs, cats, birds and cows, it will really help them. If you can give them a meal a day, it will be helpful for the whole community, as when dogs are not hungry, they're not aggressive". Jessica Jerusha has been volunteering at various animal shelters in Bangalore since she was 9 years old.

Speaking to Jerusha and Osha, we realised that there are a lot of services and shelters that help stray animals in Bangalore. There are ways to volunteer and donate to them too. It's not a lot to ask, but as a more evolved species, it is our duty to take care and love the other species on this planet.