BACKGROUND
India has millions of stray animals who live on the streets and fend for themselves by eating off the streets and depending on the goodwill and care of humans. While many people care for stray animals by providing food, medical attention or even adoption, there are others who harm stray animals out of fear or sheer malice. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 explains the nature of offences, the section of the IPC that the offence violates and a useful Q&A section for the public.
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown affected stray animals with the same sudden disastrous impact as it had on humans. Overnight, stray dogs and cats were cut off from their supply of food and companionship, which keeps them alive.
OUR ANIMAL HEROES PROGRAM
Feeding
Our volunteers gather together to cook fresh meals in their homes and feed the stray animals in their neighborhoods. To ease the physical and emotional suffering of stray animals especially during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, Youngistaan Foundation immediately began to cook fresh meals in their homes and local areas and feed the stray animals in their neighborhoods. During the most severe months of the COVID-19 lockdown, we fed and cared for over 3,000 stray animals with healthy food and emotional comfort.
Awareness
Our Animal Heroes program is focused on creating awareness in schools, colleges, apartment complexes and to the general public on:
- stopping animal abuse
- responsibility toward strays and pets
- animal birth control (ABC)
- vaccinating strays and pets to prevent rabies
- animal adoption
Our creative and interactive awareness sessions with children in schools includes drawing competitions and other creative arts activities to encourage children to share their thoughts about animals and how to prevent animal abuse. By encouraging people to be more responsible toward ensuring animals are cared for and treated well, our communities can be safe places for humans and animals to co-exist.
OUR IMPACT
- Fed and cared for 3,000+ stray animals
- Conducted awareness programs for 800 children
GET INVOLVED
If you would like to volunteer with us, you can:
- join our team to feed stray dogs
- cook and distribute fresh and healthy meals for stray dogs
- join our team to conduct awareness programs in schools on animal abuse prevention
KEY FACTS
- Roughly 35 million stray dogs in India – National Geographic
- Sterilizing stray animals reduces and prevents rabies – Blue Cross of India
FURTHER READING
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 – Animal Welfare Board of India
Youngistaan Foundation Program Brochure
