Consider a world without street dogs wagging their tails, birds chirping in trees, or cows feeding in fields. It sounds bare, right? Animals play an enormous role in our lives. Nevertheless, some suffer from abuse, cruelty, and neglect.
But here’s the silver lining—people in India are coming forward to save them! From rescue operations to awareness drives, animal lovers all over the country are making a difference. Let’s take a look at some fantastic animal welfare campaigns in India and how they are making a difference for our furry, feathered, and four-legged friends.
What is Animal Welfare in India?
Protecting animals from harm in India comes under animal welfare. This process involves the rescue of wounded animals, stopping the abuse, and informing the public about the animals’ rights. Numerous corporations and individuals in India are involved in the rehabilitation of animals’ lives.
One more praiseworthy aspect is that the government enacts laws to safeguard animals such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. However, the laws themselves do not solve the problem. People must take the lead and that is where animal welfare campaigns are necessary.
Top Animal Welfare Campaigns in India
Below are some of the most heartfelt animal welfare campaigns in India.
1. #AdoptDontShop
Have you ever seen sweet puppies in a pet store? Most of them are from breeders who do not treat them ethically. Many stray dogs and cats do not have a home because more people want to buy pets than take care of them.
The #AdoptDontShop campaign is actually a movement that vetoes people’s preference for buying rather than adopting residential solitary pets. The People for Animals (PFA) and The Blue Cross of India are two organizations that reinforce this very important message.
Impact: The campaign has made it possible for thousands of street animals to come out of the streets and be in homes where people love and care about them.
2. Mission Rabies
India, which is one of the countries in the world with the highest rabies cases, is the place where the fatal disease, rabies, exists and where we have successfully educated people about rabies prevention. Mission Rabies is carrying out such brilliant work
Impact: Indeed, the campaign has vaccinated more than a million dogs and in addition, has not only saved the lives of countless humans but also the lives of many animals.
3. Save the Elephants
Indian elephants are often mistreated in temples, circuses, and tourism industries. They are rehabilitated through campaigns like Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Conservation Program by being picked up and sent to a safe place.
Impact: Many elephants have been successfully removed from their torturing conditions and now live in protected sanctuaries.
4. Plastic-Free for Animals
Did you know that cows, dogs, and birds are dying due to ingesting plastics? The Plastic-Free for Animals campaign raises awareness about how the stuff is harmful to animals. NGOs have been conducting cleaning drives and community education through projects such as Welfare for Stray Dogs (WSD).
Impact: Through cleaner streets, safer animals, and a healthier environment, animals, and the community, in general, will benefit.
5. Jallikattu Awareness Campaign
Jallikattu is a traditional bullfight in Tamil Nadu. Animal defenders are of the opinion that it is animal cruelty and thus should not be conducted. In one of their projects, PETA India calls for people to use new and ethical ways so that more capable individuals will emerge in the industry.
Impact: Even though the topic of debate goes on, some changes are there as more knowledge is gained and more individuals are now concerned with the plight of the animals.
6. Speak for Strays
The problem of abuse, starvation, and crashes is a common thing for those animals that are wandering. The Tell the World You Are A Friend to Stray campaign persuades people to give and look after stray animals. They are helped by volunteers who do not even have the means to help themselves in any way, but regardless of that, they offer food, a place to live, and the corresponding treatment to the homeless animals.
Impact: Thousands of loving and vulnerable animals are taken care of, which makes cities more inhospitable for the rest of the animals.
How You Can Help
It does not matter if you are a part of a small or large organization, you too can help in animal welfare in India in a big way.
- Adopt a stray instead of buying a pet.
- Share animals on the streets with healthy and fit food.
- Point out the animal cruelty to the local authorities or NGOs.
- Give money to animal welfare organizations like Blue Cross, PFA, and Wildlife SOS.
- Circulate information via social media and through chat.
- Stay away from plastics to ensure the animal’s safety.
- Be a part of an animal shelter or a rescuer in an animal sanctuary.
Government Efforts for Animal Welfare
The government has taken measures for animal welfare in India:
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – Makes acts of animal abuse or cruelty punishable.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Preserves the endangered fauna and avifauna.
- Stray Dog Management Rules, 2001 – Bargain with the stray dogs and supplicate for their animalistic attitudes.
- Ban on Animal Testing for Cosmetics – Over the past decade, however, the country has made significant progress and it has advanced to become a regulatory mainstay.
The Future of Animal Welfare in India
The very sensitive topic of animal rights is increasing day by day. Schools are now giving children lessons on the humane treatment of creatures. Thanks to social media, we are moving faster than ever with animal rights but we still have to go a long way.
Pictured the world where every single street animal is loved and taken care of, no animal is slaughtered for fun, and humans and animals live in complete peace. This is the kind of India where the country should be headed.
Conclusion: Every Action Counts!
Even with the progress in the animal welfare in India, it is crucial to have the support of everyone. Even small acts of kindness—like feeding a stray dog or reporting abuse—can save lives.
We need to be a voice for the ones who cannot speak for themselves. The transformation of India into a better place for animals is on us. Are you prepared to act?
Do your bit and pledge to the cause today! Go vegetarian or stop supporting those who exploit other beings.
