abuse till what extent?

The only defining difference between man and animal is man's ability to communicate with its fellow beings. While most animals display a far better level of intelligence and genius which is above humans, it still seems that they have not yet earned their place on our planet. Humans have considered it a universal fact by default that they are the masters of Planet Earth and if animals shall exist, it will be under their subjugation. From time immemorial animals have served humans in a myriad of ways. From tilling the land to protecting the crops, different animals played their role. Dog was even called man's best friend, which is true indeed.

    Us, humans have always been greedy and we still are. We have been exploiting animals ever since we started growing. Animals are being killed for skin, tusks, ivory, horns etc. While poachers hunt with an aim to sell and earn money, hunters kill animals just for the thrill of doing it. Hundreds of animals have been slaughtered for shooting scenes in films. Important species like Black Rhinoceros, Cheetah, Polar Bear etc. are critically endangered. 

   Apart from poaching, illegal hunting and use of animals in shooting for films, animals also face and tolerate a lot of abuse from humans as pets. Owners tend to beat and torture their pets and mostly these innocent animals have to bear the frustration of their owners. Pet animals are a good source to unwind and they act as fun companions but they are not for venting our anger. Until and unless we realize that we all have to share this planet and animals are a vital part of it too. According to a study those who have tendency to hurt or torture animals may do so with their fellow human beings too. So next time you see a person beating up an animal, stop and warn them.

     The reason for all this abuse is not just to assert the superiority, it is our inability to feel what animals feel. We associate with only our pain and suffering, but what of mute animals who cannot fight back or make demands like us. Wildlife sanctuaries, reserves and parks offer some respite but not complete relief.  Humans are already creating enough troubles for animals by cutting down forests and expanding cities. Little things like not feeding your pet on time, not providing proper medical care,confining pets are all considered as acts of harassment against animals. 

    We should give up the use of leather,ivory and all those materials which are obtained after killing animals. Elephants, grizzly bear, rhinoceros are large animals which may lose their calm but they never harm us without a reason. We must respect this understanding and not harm them for our selfish interests.

Dont abuse them just because they cannot speak back!

It is one thing to be a bystander to animal cruelty but it is an entirely different thing to stormily strike and wound a living creature under the pretense of your own twisted idea of playtime. Animal abuse has now after so many years become a rather hot topic among animal enthusiasts. I have often wondered that how does a man, who goes to work in the morning, has a family, become such a cruel tormentor of animals! These people are sociopaths; they are clinically not worthy enough to be a part of the society since they are incapable of any sort of empathy. Below is a true story written in the perspective of a person of such a kind..

After a long day at work Ravi (name changed) came home very irritated. He banged the door and felt like hitting someone. His boss had yelled at him in front of everybody and thrown his reports away calling those “bullshit!” How dare he? Who does he think he is? Ravi could not hit his boss since the job was the only source of income supporting his family of four so he got out of the office and kicked the car. When he went inside his house, his wife immediately reminded him of the party that they had to leave for in an hour. Ravi’s irritation grew and he felt like hitting his wife, but he then he remembered about one of his neighbor Mr. Sinha’s case of how he had slapped his wife and was sent to jail for 3 years on account of domestic violence, Ravi did not want to take that risk. As Ravi was pacing about his room, he accidently stepped on his dog and that poor thing yelped. Ravi then had an idea, what is better than hitting a thing that won’t be able to speak out? He kicked his dog in the stomach and the dog cried in pain, oh how wonderful did he feel...Ravi’s annoyance dissolved and he felt better, Thus an abuser had been born!

Human mind is a strange thing, my mother always forbade me from eating with my hand because once I lost my reticence of eating with my hands it would be very difficult to control myself in future, same goes in the above case too, once we lose the inhibition of doing something we know is morally wrong, the sense of guilt in us dies and then it becomes very difficult to control. This is the same reason why mothers forbid their children from stealing. To rekindle that sense of morality in us we need to first realize the wrong that we are doing. It is important to recognize that these creatures are also capable of pain, but let’s not lose hope because there are always two sided to a coin, the human population has always been divided into two on the basis of our opinions and choices, on one sided where exist such cruel and repulsive people…there are others ready to stand up for these “paws”; people who look at these creatures as living beings and save them from the wrath of others, hug them to sleep, feed them, take care of them.

-Divya pathak

PEOPLE FOR PAWS AT AYF 2015

The three days long “Amity Youth Fest” is the most sought after annual event at Amity University. This year it marked the official launch of People For Paws at the university. The PFP- Amity team came together to set up a stall at the H Block which seems to be the centre of attraction and most crowded place at all times. The stall was a result of a lot of perseverance by Namistah Arora and her Professors at the ASCO Dept. A great deal of creative work was put in by Sonakshi and Megha, who together designed a very attractive banner for the stall. Other team members included- Siddharth, Pooja, Naman, Minali, Megha, Sonakshi, Zarah, Pushpit, Shobhit, Jaibir and other new additions to the PFP- Amity family.

The main objectives during the fest were the promotion of the society, enroll volunteers, explain our work and success so far, collect funding  and give away dos and don’ts when dealing with animals.

Activities at the stall included digitally capturing a moment with desi pups, feeding some tuna to the most cuddle-able dogs of amity to drive away dog-phobia, selling of PFP customized Tees, and promoting the adoption of the amity pups.

The funds so collected were put to use for the vaccination and sterilization of the dogs of amity and outside. We also donated some amount to needful organizations and societies.

The stall attracted more visitors than expected. The event was a huge success and was deeply appreciated by animal lovers within the campus. We wish to be a part of the coming fests as well.

Do you love dogs?

Do you love dogs? Of course, who doesn’t? Who can’t love those cute little creatures that have no knowledge as to what the world has in store for them. Do you feel bad when you hear a dog cry utter in pain? Do you feel bad when people overlook stray dogs? If the answer is yes, then I am not sure if you can keep calm on Kerala Government’s decision to cull dog menace in the State.  The recent news which hit the screens and the world said that Government of Kerala is going to cull troublesome stray dogs and the officials claim that this decision is going to boost Kerala’s tourism.

Recently, an online campaign by animal rights activist is gaining momentum which calls for “boycotting Kerala Tourism” Also, the protests are going to be held internationally on 26^th July against the State’s decision. The campaign is getting widely noticed through the usage of photographs and videos and according to campaigners, the campaign calls for the boycott of Kerala tourism and all Kerala products till the Kerala dog culling orders are not revoked. The state government and the Tourism ministry has been given 2 weeks time to decide on the issues of mass culling of stray dogs.

Officials also claim, due to high rate of dogs infected with rabies reportedly, an odd 40,000 dog bite cases in past 8 months is the reason behind this decision. Do you think the government is making the right choice? I believe culling is not the only option left with them; they could have started a sterilization programme long back.

What are your views on this? Shout out in the comments below.

Diary of a mother pig

‘’We are present in abundance! But, does anyone even care?’’



Last evening, I saw my biggest nightmare in reality, actually happening in front of my eyes. My child, my little offspring, who could barely even run properly on his own, getting smashed under the wheels of a speeding vehicle. My child, to whom I was feeding on my own, my child, whom I had nurtured since the day he was born met with his fate of death, so…soon. My child was killed mercilessly in front of my eyes.
What could I have done? I could have screeched, shouted and cried out my tears seeing my kid’s mouth open with blood scattered on the road., tears of grief and tears of anger. I could have leaped on that reckless inhumane driver out of agony for killing my child. I could have myself come under the wheels of another passing speeding vehicle. But I didn’t do anything. I didn’t react in any which way. I couldn’t have shouted my lungs out, because in this big, bad world filled with insensitive humans, nobody would have bothered to listen to me. I couldn’t have leaped on that reckless driver because we’re docile and generous animals. We don’t harm those in return, who hurt us. Lastly, I couldn’t have mustered the courage to come under another vehicle and accept my fate because in front of me, were my other three little kids, with their innocent and tender eyes gazing back at me.

DEAR HUMANS,
I am a mother pig to four of my young offsprings. Yes, I still consider my fourth child (who is no more with us) still a part of our family. My children and me just need a small, little space in the corner of your society where I can lie down and feed my children. My family just need your domestic unwanted products that you dispose off. We don’t disturb your locality with any waste or dirt. We don’t come in the way you decide to keep your area.

My fourth child today, could have been with me, if only that human being on the steering could have applied brakes on time. If only that human was concerned enough to save my little child who was crossing the road hastily.
Nothing can ever replace the warmth of my child, breathing as he used to rest on my body. Nothing can bring back the lost tenderness that my child had. I still remember and can still feel how tenderly he used to feed onto me. We shared love, care and attachment which had become a part of me. But, as my child passed away, a part of my heart and soul went away with him.

I don’t trust humans anymore. But, that doesn’t mean that I will teach my children not to respect them. Humans will always be my fellow beings, but, I wish, we all could share and give each other space, time and care instead of cruelty and injustice. Atleast, me and my children don’t deserve that, because, again, I won’t tell my children to treat humans with disrespect or partiality.
Just being a little considerate will solve all problems and bring back tranquillity amongst all species. All I am asking for, is a little kindness on your part as you are what this world considers, ‘civilized and intelligent beings of the animal race’.
All that I will ever ask for, is compassion and generosity for your fellow beings with whom you share this planet with.

Freedom

When I saw a bird in a cage,

Which was similar to a torn page;

“Had she done some fault” I asked

That her freedom had come to a halt.

It could not fly over the field of grains

Instead it sang a  song of strain.

Oh! Why I couldn’t feel its sadness

Is it because I live in this world of madness?

I must be dug into the ground,                 

For I didn’t let it dive in the vale profound.

But now I will free it without time spent

Even if I have to cross the Arabian Sands.

She just flew like a soul escaping  from the body’s cage

And I felt attached to the torn page.


-NIKITA PRASAD

The Bond That Ceased, Yet The Love That Exists.

This isn't a love story. This doesn't involve girlfriends and/or boyfriends, or brides and/or grooms, or “forever meant to be”’s. 

But this is a story of love - a love that has sustained itself out of a bond that lasted for not more than 24 hours. 

Hi. My name’s Shubhankar. What you might be reading further doesn’t have a happy ending, or even a sad ending, or a lesson learnt. It’s just a story of Schwaan and I. 

Schwaan - what a lovely chap he was. A golden labrador, little, scrumptious, and lazier than what we’d expected, but lovable anyhow. We’d brought him home - it was Summer - and chose to be ignorant to the fact that my mom was -is - really afraid of dogs. She’s really afraid of almost all animals. I was adamant. We had to have a puppy at home. So we did, even though many advised otherwise. 

Now there he was, at home. I couldn't yet fathom there was a Marley living under the same roof as me, playing with me, and for the most part, sleeping. A perfect epitome of a real-life Sleeping Beauty. 

The afternoon and evening passed with all of us - minus Mom - embracing Schwaan. My mom had temporarily resided at the dining-table, then the bed, anywhere but the floor. Then came nighttime. Schwaan begin having episodes of uncontrollable excretion. My brother and I stayed up late, cleaning the results of each. We were worn out and had to call our dad to come and stay with Schwaan for a little while so that we could grab some sleep. 

The next morning, the tiredness of the previous night was fairly recognizable on our faces. That was when we had an epiphany. We can handle all the love of a dog and his sweetness and his cuteness, but it requires too much work. Therefore, we decided to give it away to a family who could really work hard to keep him, love him, nurture him. A relative of one of my father’s employees was looking for a dog for their family, for their two children. A genuine, loving family. Perfect match. Hardest decision - to let Schwaan go. But we had to. 

Evening. It was time. I got ready, packed all of Schwaan’s stuff, picked him up, greeted him to my grandmother before leaving, got in the car, reached my dad’s office, greeted him to everyone else, held his little paw in the air to enunciate a goodbye. As I was walking through throngs of people and commotion, I was holding Schwaan in my arms, wanting it to never end. I was so emotional, I hardly was expressive. Pokerface. We met the man and handed our little one to them. 

On the ride back home, I was speechless. No word spoken, no sound made, no reaction given. I was looking out the car-window but I had my sight set on nothing but the melancholic void. It was like I’d given away a piece of me, and a teardrop would almost appear every time I’d think of it, I’d think of him. 

The family was contacted a few days later and we found out that the father was working extra shifts just to be able to fully take care of our little one that swiftly became an irreplaceable part of them. 

I couldn't have planned this for myself. Being an animal lover, I couldn't predicted I’d be the one who’d give such a cutie away, who wouldn't be able to take care of him, who’d so quickly grow tired by the work raising a pup calls for. 

But I’m happy, ‘cause I believe Schwaan’s happy. 

-Shubhankar Verma

You will loose your mind, but not your soul

I work for the animals and I m proud of myself.
I know I wont get to earn money in this, but what I will earn is the satisfaction of seeing the abandoned animal healthy and alive. When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal, I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.

People often say "now you should stop", "you are going out of your way for them". They do not understand that I find animals much better than humans. All animals love you back till infinity.
When I started with "People for Paws", I did not see money, I saw hundreds of animals being rescued and getting forever homes or just a second chance at life. I often feel, this will be my last rescue, since its difficult to manage college and rescue missions. But then I cant close my eyes when I see a voiceless who needs some aid(specially when it is a small baby).

I wish they had longer life, but I know for me my heaven will be- filled with all the animals I helped in my life. Its always hard to say goodbye to the ones I rescue when they get their forever homes, even though I m happy for them. I have tears in my eyes, but they are of happiness.

I, as an animal lover might have made some decisions which has caused the voiceless their lives. But I have been an angel to many as well.

And each and every rescue of has been a life changing part of my life.

-Namishtah arora

We are making an effort!

We are privileged to be entitled to freedom, liberty and respect, however many of our fellow homo sapiens deny these rights to animals who too are entitled to love and mercy. Being typical and simple, People For Paws is an effort to shelter stray animals with the love and care they deserve. Homeless and hungry, they usually don't bother you until you bother them. Their miserable lives simply end leaving no mark of existence but scars of coldness of inhuman hearts. These lovely creatures have a lot to offer in return of mere care and warmth. Without a shadow of a doubt, they make remarkable pets and shower you with love and happiness all day, everyday. But the fact can’t be denied that adoption is not possible for every animal lover. Off late, initiatives are being taken to at least serve them with good meal and health. The plight of these not-so-poor creatures is beyond recognition, but what we do know is that sincere efforts and little steps mark huge reformations. Wouldn't it be heartbreaking to turn our backs when we do know we’re capable of bringing about a much needed change? And trust me, seeing a deprived animal receive what he deserves can make you cry the tears of joy we hear of. It’s not about if they can speak or not, or whether they deserve this and that or not - it has always been about how they feel. And beyond any second thought, they do.

-Kaya sharma

Do As You Have Never Done BEFORE

On the Way CASES:: HIT n RUN

Many a times a bundle of wool or cloth or fur look alike living/injured/dead animal comes on our way on a busy road, while we are hurrying up to reach to our office or some other destination (we are always in hurry).

Usually what we do………

1.       Half the time we want to believe it is a rug only and avoid looking at that side and take our vehicle from a distance to justify our belief.

2.       Other times we feel, it must be dead; if not dead then soon it should be as its already half dead. 

3.       Some feel, it’s a bad omen and avoid feeling or accepting a fact.

But, one thing is sure that we do not feel happy about it and it gives us a slight discomfort in mind and heart.  Even if it is just a drop size discomfort or is it guilt...

1.       in mind – we are running late to our destination and it is not a good site….so why bother

2.       in heart – because we know we must do something … but we are not doing…so why think

What is to be done??

Next time, we see something like this, let us do different (even if for just once)

In case the animal is dead, only 3 steps recommended::

1.       If body all rolled over and crumpled – we can’t do much but just go on without a halt  - Easiest and will take no time -

For the other 2 steps, we need to stop our speeding car gradually to a side. Go back a little distance and wave the traffic to halt for a minute (believe me, they will stop)

2.       If the body is fine – let our hands go bit dirty and - may take our 10-30 minutes -

-          wrap it in a rug / newspaper and put it at the road side  OR

-          wrap it in a rug / newspaper and throw it in a dump-yard OR

-          wrap it in a rug / newspaper and bury it in the ground, wherever nearest or as per your ease

3.       If not the above, please give a call to Municipality/Animal Shelter to take care of it - may take 5 minutes –

In case the animal is alive, just 3 steps recommended::

1.       Let us give it some first aid and tell, he/she need not fear and you are there

2.       Take it to a veterinary, PLEASE and give him/her a chance to live happily or die peacefully

3.       At least give a call to PFA or some other shelter to help you help him/her. 

It’s not necessary that our action will make him/her live but it is sure - will not die in unending pain and fear of the running traffic around. 

You will not have that earlier feeling of discomfort anymore and will be more respectful towards yourself for being the same to another.

Road Accidents of Animals::

It’s easy to see something die and not do anything about it, it saves us:

-          Mental discomfort

-          Time

-          Money

-          Effort

-          Restlessness

On the other hand, if we try saving – possibilities are:

-          we may get late to reach our destination (for which we originally headed for)

-          it may go time consuming (much more than we thought)

-          it may go expensive (to arrange treatment and transport)

-          it may tire us (no time line of day and night for the cure)

-          it may still die (we or Doctor may not be able to save life even after all the effort put)

Question is why shall we indulge in an act that has all liabilities and drawbacks?

Answer is simple and one

The only gain in the bargain is: self satisfaction, moral need or being human to help save a life and Happiness of the outcome of all of the pain taken.

CHOSE WHAT WE SHALL DO, WHEN WE SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEXT TIME……..

something said by the amity people....

Zarah- "Yes actually the world does revolve around my dogs"

Muskaan- "Would you ignore a child wandering the streets alone with no food and no hope?

A stray is as vulnerable as any child.

FEED, RESCUE, ADOPT!

Its just a matter of love!"

Namishtah- "In the world who could care less, be the one who could not care more!" 

Minali- "We support

 those who volunteer their time for animals.

those who save and rescue animals.

those who have created sanctuaries.

those who have become voice for animals.

those who have care for neglected & abused.

those who simply act"

Siddharth- ""If we stop caring for animals, we will stop caring for people"

Pooja- "When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I see a soul." 

some kindness is still left..

Random act of kindness





-Kuljeet chaudhary

My little Mischief.

Today, I’m gonna tell you about my little Mischief. 

I moved to Gurgaon from Hyderabad in June of 2005. I’d been wanting to keep a dog. I’d been planning to take in a stray, but as it turned out, I got Mischief and her brother, who sadly passed away. We’ll talk about that later.

A bitch at a family friend’s had given birth to her pups on 9th August of the same year. The caretaker had been looking for warm, welcoming homes for the pups, so I asked her to let me adopt a couple. I still remember, I went an

d saw them and they were adorable and shining - like a ball of white wool. It was love-at-first-sight. I’d wanted to take them home right away but they were so little, we had to wait. 

Eventually, one day, we got a frantic call from the caretaker asking us to take the pups immediately since they were all slowly demising. We grew so worried, we rushed to their residence as soon as we could and what horrified me was to have had noticed that only 2 out of a 6 or 7 were alive, and the both of them were covered in ticks. There was not one part of their tiny bodies not covered in ticks. They’d sucked almost all the blood and the pups were almost dead. 

We took ‘em home and had been yearning for the morning to arrive since we had to take them to the vet. Every second that night seemed like an hour. The morning came and we took them to the vet who was shocked at their condition. They were so weak, I had to feed them milk, sitting them on my lap. 

What began was a daily rendezvous to the vet for the removal of the ticks. A lot of times we had to de-tick them ourselves at home. It took us 2 weeks and abundance of care to get the little ones back on their feet, healthy and hearty. I’m so glad neither myself, nor the pups, gave up.

But unfortunately, one day, at the age of 5, Mischief’s brother Scamp passed away because of a heart-attack. 

Now we just have Mischief who is a self-proclaimed ‘Lady Of The House.’ She sleeps besides me every night, loved by everyone in the house.

Platy And Perry: A part Of My life, A Part Of Me.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”  -Anatole France

Hey my fellow viewers/readers of People For Paws. This is Ananya Ganguli. I am a seventh grader and don’t know how to write an article at all. So I would begin with talking about my birds, Platy and Perry. I know these names might ring a bell for some of you — Platypus Perry from Disney’s Phineas And Ferb. But well, that’s exactly where the inspiration came from.

My sister and I have been crazy animal lovers since we could remember. We love all animals be it strays. Seeing an animal in pain always overwhelms us with grief and makes us wonder of the atrocities meted out onto these poor creatures who cannot voice their opinions themselves. Since my childhood I have always been motivated, and have myself motivated people into feeding these animals and providing shelter to them in the harsh climatic conditions of New Delhi. 

We’d always yearned to keep a puppy as a pet, but since we stay in a small flat and there’s no one to take care of it, we had to give up on that desire. Then we somehow convinced our dad to get us a hamster as a pet, but when we went to look at them, they were stinking real bad. (No offense.) But we had to get a pet at any cost because we knew that we wouldn’t get this golden opportunity easily again. So, we decided to get birds. We got a couple of blue-white love birds, and as now you know, named them Platy and Perry. The day we got them, I was so excited -  it felt like I had another part of me that could listen to all my crap without any interference, could keep all my secrets I couldn’t have kept myself and what not. But, approximately a month later or even less, Perry didn’t make it, and left us (R.I.P. Perry). I was so upset, I thought it was a nightmare, and I wished it was just a nightmare. I wrote a letter and a poem for him and we went to bury him. I even fixed up a box and made it into a coffin for the dear one. I had a tough time without Perry, and I was constantly thinking about Platy - how she was going to overcome Perry’s death. I did everything I possibly could. I also gradually realized I’d gotten so attached to my birds within such a short span of time, I thought they really were a part of my life, a part of me. And now in the present, Platy, I have discovered, can eat various food items, like, chicken, cake, etc. What a foodie. I know that sounds a little exaggerated, but trust me, it’s not. 

So friends, if you have a pet or pets, love them ’til your last breath. It’s been approximately 2 years since Perry’s passing, and I still have a part of her alive in my heart that’ll keep pumping its own life.

R.I.P. Perry.

Love you always.

-Ananya ganguli