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 In
this sprawling city called Mumbai, what catches my eye is not
its people, beggars or lost souls -- it is the animals. Small
and big, they hide behind vehicles, buildings and drainages,
staying away from the human eye. Why?
Because, we put the fear of god in them. Just yesterday, I saw
a Victoria (No: 81) driving down Lamington Road, opposite
Ghasitaram Halwai. The horse could barely walk -- its legs
were shaking like jelly. His ankles may have been broken at
sometime and set wrongly.
I stopped to wonder how the Victoria driver could exploit an
animal which was half dead and in dire need of nourishment. It
could barely stand still. Never before did I feel so sad and
lost. An animal lover who was with me then said that just two
kg of Channa dal and some jaggery would make him well again.
But the jingle of money alone excited the horse-owner; the
animal’s well-being was not his concern. I felt that humans
were very selfish, bothered only about their well-being,
ignoring the misery of the city’s lesser denizens. The beasts
are just a means to an end.
 Try
explaining that to their owners, and you bang your head
against the wall. All arguments fall on deaf ears. Does it
take any effort to be human? Take a close look. Their sadness
spreads over you as you peer into the beautiful, innocent eyes
of the guileless animal. Tears lurk, for they cannot speak
about the injustice done to them. But, can’t we at least speak
for them?
Many people are particular about donating for charity and
giving daan everyday to the beggars and feeding them – but no
one feeds these animals, horses, dogs, cows and donkeys. Come
to where I live and I can show you how these animals survive
in wretched conditions. Cows and donkeys are let out to stray
on the streets, where they scavenge from roadside garbage
cans, eating leftovers and anything they can. They consume
paper and plastic to swallow the food disposed of in them.
Many people drive out their pet dogs if they have skin
problems. How miserable!
 In
the US, a farm for old horses has opened new vistas, where
those that can no longer work live here and laze around the
whole day, living the last few years left in happiness. A dog
farm outside Pune collects the strays and provides shelter and
food – a home for them. I wish others would also make an
effort in showing a little charity. May be not shelters, but a
small contribution certainly goes a long way. Do not abandon
the poor animals in their days of need.
 Do
we chuck out our parents when they fall ill? It’s your
responsibility to take care of them, isn’t it? So are these
pets and animals you take on for love or work. They have
served you quite well, so take care of them in their sunset
days. A little love comes without cost, but it makes you more
complete as an individual than before.
I have learnt this from an old man in my colony. He calls
Karuna to help animals in distress or those that are injured.
If you have animals in distress, please call the places
mentioned below. Let’s rise to the defence of the defenceless.
 SPCA:
The Bombay SPCA, Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, and
Phone: 24137518/24168381/3598
KARUNA:
Phone: 28763856, 98203 19842
All India Animal Welfare Association
E/14, Venus Apartments, R.G. Thandani Marg
Worli, Mumbai 400018
Phone: (022) 24930776 / 23094077
PAWS:
Contact Mr. Nilesh Bhanage (Hony. Gen. Secretary), A-14,
Savitri Sadan, Dr. Mukharji Road', Dombivli (East) 421201,
Maharashtra. Phone: 0251 - 452302
Fax: 022 – 7562275 E-mails: animalwelfare@rediffmail.com
& pawsdombivli@indiatimes.com
, SMS: 98201 61114
IN DEFENCE Of ANIMALS:
7,Shanti Kunj, 124,Hindu Colony, 5th Lane, Dadar, Mumbai-400
014. (India). Phone: (22) 24142195 - 24143412 Fax (22)
24149375 Email: samoo@bom5.vsnl.net.in
ANIMAL BIRTH CONTROL & HEALTH CARE CENTRE:
Near Deonar Colony, Bainganwadi, Deonar,
Mumbai 400 088. (India) Tel: (22) 25566795
STRAY DOG LOVERS ASSOCIATION (VOICE OF THE ANIMALS IN
DISTRESS)
G 20, RH-V, Sector VI, Vashi
New Mumbai 400703
Phone: (022) 7662784
THE
WELFARE OF STRAY DOGS
403, Seacraft, Woodhouse Road
Colaba, Mumbai 400026
Tel :23733433/23891070 E-mail :
wsd@rediffmail.com
AHIMSA
C/o W.R. Stonssel & Co.
Maker Bhavan, # 1
2nd floor, I New Marine Lines
Mumbai - 400020
Phone: (022) 25773549
Fax: 2624551
PETA India
P.O. Box 28260
Juhu, Mumbai 400 049
Phone: 022-628-1880
Fax: 022-628-1883
PETA India Web Site: www.PETAIndia.org
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