Learn...to Care
is a series that discusses issues relating to Pet Care. The Q & A have
been drawn from an interactive dialogue between Mrs. Maneka Gandhi, renowned animal
activist and discerning common people concerned about the cause. The discussion is laid
before you with her consent. Your comments are welcome on the series at pfa_mg@hotmail.com
You can mail your queries on Pet Care to Mrs. Maneka Gandhi at manekagandhi@mid-day.com answers to which will
be posted at Mid Day's Web Site.
Part
- II
Part - III
Part - IV
Part - V
Part - I
Q.
I love animals and want to keep a pet but my mother won't let me. How do I convince her?
A.
A lot of parents are averse to thier children keeping pets because they feel that the
child will quickly tire of the novelty and the responsibility of caring for the animal
will devolve on the adults. You must therefore be prepared to commit the time and trouble
it takes to look after an animal before getting one and assure your parents that you can
and will handle this responsibility. This, in fact, is one of the benefits that comes with
a pet - it makes children more confident and more responsible people. Pets works wonders
for people in other ways too. Anyone who has ever loved an animal knows the joy that
human-animal bonding can bring. Birds, Dogs, Cats, rabbits can provide remarkable physical
and psychological health benefits to humans. Pets can increase medical patients survival
chances and decrease stress. People with pets get fewer colds than people without pets and
can help adults lower thier blood pressure. Students learn to use thier initiative,
develop courage and function as responsible team members. Society as a whole is benefitted
by reducing violence and encouraging compassion.
If it is a dog or cat you want, be sure to take in a homeless one either off the
street or from a shelter. Do not buy a pedigree as this encourages a cruel trade and these
animals are entirely unsuited to our climate and conditions and require constant
veterinary attention. Indian Animals are healthy, happy companions.
Q.
Since my dog is completely tame and trustworthy, I never chain or lock him up even when I
do go for a walk. We were returning from a walk yesterday, and he was lagging behind. I
carried on and waited for him to reach home. But he didn't come. It has been two days now
and I am worried sick. What should I do ?
A.
It is awful to lose one's pet. One should be especially careful around Diwali time when
animals, frightened by the noise try and find quiet dark places and run helter-skelter
losing all sense of direction. Many cities also have gangs that steal dogs for dog
breeders, so be careful. Put an ID tag on your dog's collar with your name, address and
number. If your pet goes missing here is what you should do:
1. Ask the dhobis, watchmen, shopkeepers in the area if they have seen your dog.
Tell them to contact you if they spot it.
2. File an FIR at the local police station giving your dog's description and a
photograph. Request the SHO to flash the description to other stations.
3. Make out small posters with a photograph of your dog and put it up in the market
place, at the vet's in the club and so on.
4. Take out an advertisement in the local newspaper promising a reward for the
return of the dog.
5. Check out the local municipal pound and hospitals (animals are sometimes taken
there to be used for experimentation)
6. Keep reminding the police station and continue to search the adjoining
neighbourhoods.
The more persistent you are, the more chances there are of your finding your pet.
Q. If I have found a baby bird and nursed it. Is it legal for me to keep
it in a cage when it has grown up?
A.
There is something more than legality and that is morality which dictates that you should
allow a bird that can fly to go free. As a parent, you bring up your children but that
does not mean that you own them forever. In the case of a bird, you must allow it to
return to its natural environment. It is also illegal to keep birds under the Wildlife
Protection Act 1972.
Q.
I was terribly depressed by my visit to the Guwahati zoo as the animals were kept in
such poor conditions. Is there anything an individual or animal welfare group can do?
A.
To improve conditions at your zoo it is important for local people to take an interest.
Meet the zoo director and point out improvements that need to be made such as clean
drinking water for each cage, space and shade for the animals, protection against bad
weather and so on. The Central Zoo Authority of India has framed very strict rules about
the required amount of space and food that should be available. However, most zoos flout
these conditions. You can take photographs and send an official complaint to the Director,
Central Zoo Authority, Bikaner House, Shahjehan Road, New Delhi with a copy to me. You can
also file a writ petition in the High Court and seek directions against the zoo. The court
has the power to direct the Central Zoo Authrity to ensure that the zoo complies with the
provisions or else to shut it down and relocate the animals. In the meantime you can form
a band of volunteers like a Friends of Zoo club and help out yourself. Teach the visitors
not to tease the animals and not to litter thier cages. Another possibility is to suggest
to the zoo director an Adopt An Animal Scheme which is being done in the Lucknow Zoo and
few others. Here, companies or private individuals sponsor particular enclosures by
providing towards the maintenance of that enclosure and its animals. The enclosure carries
the name of the company and therefore it is better maintained. This scheme can be
introduced by the zoo director independently, he does not need it to be sanctioned by
anybody else. You can get people/schools/colleges/companies etc to participate. They can
pay for the proper housing of the animal and for its food and medicines.
