The Viman community has observed injured stray animals along the side- walk of New Airport Road over the last few months. However, observers tend to find themselves ridden with confusion and compassion in such situations. Here’s where citizen initiative steps in and provides a potential course of action. Pedestrians walking along the sidewalk on the New Airport Road, specifically the stretch between Symbiosis Center for Media and Communication (SCMC) and Symbiosis Law School (SLS), have often encountered injured stray animals. Thes include cats and dogs wounded due to road accidents. People often feel sympathy towards an animal in pain; however, they are largely unaware of what they can do about it. People often feel sympathy towards an animal in pain; however, they are largely unaware of what they can do about it. “Dead animals are honestly almost always a horror to see. I am yet to come across injured animals, but I would want to help them get treated if I do come across one,” says Adya Gautam, a resident of Symbiosis Girls Hostel. Saroj Soparkar’s organization, Wadgaon Sheri Animal Saviors (WAS), introduced an emergency ambulance service to help these animals in distress. As per the protocol, anyone who sees an injured animal in need of medical care can contact the ambulance through the organization’s website. “There have been days when we have re- ceived more than 1,000 distress calls. But there is only one ambulance right now, and it can carry around five animals at a time,” says Saroj Soparkar. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) also relays animal distress calls to WAS, and the ambulance operates based on the proximity and urgency of cases. The Chronicle reached out to PETA India to discuss what humans can do to go be- yond being mere spectators when they come across wounded animals. “If a person sees an animal in distress, or if they witness any cru- elty toward an animal, they should call their local animal welfare group or PETA India on our 24x7 helpline number, 9820122602. PETA India receives more than 1,500 calls a week,” says Deepak Chaudhary, the Manager of the Emergency Response Team at PETA India. Additionally, activists believe that the causes of animal injuries and cruelty are deep-root- ed within people’s minds. Hence, organizations like PETA and WAS are conducting animal welfare awareness programs at the school level so that children do not lose sight of their compassion and better understand and appreciate animals.
10 Jan 2023
Pranoti Abhyankar
