Social media network will help, activists tell Turbhe sterilisation centre

NAVI MUMBAI: Animal lovers, rescuers, caretakers and activists have written to authorities to initiate a social media network with the Turbhe Sterilisation Centre.
With WhatsApp being the most commonly used platform, they said that photographs and messages of injured animals can be sent immediately without any delay. This eases the job of the catcher as well and helps network between both parties.
“This lack of communication is getting annoying for those working for the welfare of animals. In today’s age of networking and the use of the internet we should be able to ask and receive help as quickly as possible,” said Dr Anshu Chouhan from the Animal Protection Cell.
She added that getting messages across through a phone call in an emergency can often be a waste of time and the same can be said while sending photographs. “Whatsapp is the quickest way to communicate and we are hoping to network through this medium. We have asked the authorities to provide this facility, so hopefully it should work out,” she said.
Seventy-five-year old Mahendra Singh, a resident of Nerul, said that there is no compassion in the way the dogs are handled. “The place is not well kept and there is not enough space for the animals, especially if they need to be quarantined,” he said.
Although, he continued, we have tried to help and offer suggeations they are not very forthcoming. “It is extremely difficult to get information or have cases attended to simply because there is no definite line of communication. So we are hoping they move with the times for better facilitation of their services,” he said.
Vashi resident and animal activist Shekhar Dandekar said that with social media being such a strong tool today, the centre should have an open and transparent line of communication.
“There will be information coming in all the time, but that is what they are there for. Rescuers will only help to have cases identified and attended to immediately,” he said.