Its been a long way since we started this initiative. To do our bit in making everyone feel inclusive. In a world where prejudice creeps in in almost every ...
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Its been a long way since we started this initiative. To do our bit in making everyone feel inclusive. In a world where prejudice creeps in in almost every aspect of our living, these initiatives help us create our own little world where there is no room for it.
When I met Sneha Prasad, the PR and communication officer at People for animals (PFA) in Bengaluru, I found more humane stories of the many animals that reside there, than in the world outside. Spread across a sprawling nine acres of property, PFA is a non-profit conservation organisation working on the rescue and rehabilitation of urban wildlife. PFA has defined enclosures that serve as a safe haven for rescued animals until they are ready to go back in the real world. The task at hand was massive. We had to carefully clean every corner of the place without disturbing the animals in any way. Our partner, V3 Care, complied and left everyone involved smiling.
The seven hours that it took for us to finish the task at hand gave me a lot of time to get some insight on PFA. Kiran, a volunteer at the PFA shared “Since the year 2000, we have saved a total of 8068 reptiles, 2994 mammals and 8663 birds, 1 Arachnid, totalling to 19726. We have rescued all kinds of animals that have been disturbed because of urban entrenchment.”
When I quiz Dr. Kartik M., a senior veterinarian at PFA whether a natural habitat is better than the cages at PFA he replies, “You need to understand that we are not giving them just a home but also care. The kites have damaged wings because of the manjha (that is used to fly the kite), an adult Russell’s Viper that was beaten up by a crowd just because it strayed into the garden, smuggled tortoises that were seized at the Banglore International Airport and were being smuggled to Malaysia, these animals have been rescued with the intent of curing and caring for them to eventually release them back to their natural habitat – the wild.”
While most of the stories drew my attention, one particular story took the cake. Sneha tells me about the two blind monkeys who are nannies to rescued baby monkeys. Elizabeth (12) and Nanny (14) are the two Bonnet Macaques who nurture the young primates and have fostered 16 babies in total. When Elizabeth was six years old a vegetable vendor had thrown acid on her face for stealing his vegetables. She was depressed and a loner when she came to PFA. Nanny who lost her sight after a car accident, changed things for her, and the two have been inseparable since. Sneha tells me more fascinating things about the macaques, “They have not been trained and the maternal instinct comes naturally to them. They psychologically help other animals relax at the shelter with their attitude. They are also calmer than the other animals.”
Elizabeth and Nanny may never be able to step out of their enclosures and into the real world, but they are not complaining. They seem to have taken the surroundings offered to them at PFA quite well and love to mother the many injured babies that hold on to them.
Through a stony path lies the pet cemetery which acts as the greatest source of funds for the NGO. It gives a unique opportunity to honour and mourn the death of the loving pets. Each tombstone reads a tribute to the loving pet by its owners and I find an uncanny peace at the cemetery. Part of the epitaph of Tiger Kamath (the dog) reads “With you by my side, I was never alone. I hope you know how much I miss you. I did not know love until I met you. If there is heaven, I wish you are there and happy.”
PFA as an organisation has always tried to save as many animals as possible but there are times when it is too late. Sneha fills in, “People may have the best intent but not everyone is equipped to take care of an animal. Here we have experienced veterinarians, volunteers and our personal legal counsel to pursue a case against animal cruelty. Just last week a monkey was brought to PFA in a really bad state. People had rescued it from a road accident and fed it what they deemed was the right food but it made its condition worse. It was too late when we stepped in and we could not save the primate.”
On their part PFA organises work shops at residential complexes and schools to make people aware of what they do and the basic information on how to handle a rescue.
Animals are as much a part of this world as we are. If anything, we have taken up the space that they call home. PFA has over 165 units, 26 hospitals and 2.5 lakh members who need your support. Donate, volunteer or simply do your bit by treating all life as sacred. Because when we say everyone deserves happiness, we mean everyone!
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