Raipurites, here’s how you can help strays this summer

Our pet pals are rather lucky to have their basic needs taken care of. With summer here, have you given a thought about strays? Not just dogs, but other animals (and birds) that are domestic, need care as well, especially with the difficulty of finding water in summer. Here’s how you can do your bit to bring respite to these animals.
Showing some compassion
Pet enthusiast Shilpi Sahu always tries to make summer pleasant for dogs in her vicinity. “I just try my best to provide them with ample amount of water and food when required. A week ago, I came across a puppy whose eyes hadn’t opened yet. It was crying and hungry. Taking it home, I consulted a vet about the basic care it required,” shares Shilpi.
Tohid Qureshi, a media professional, found a pigeon that was wounded and decided to tend to it. He recounts, “Not everyone cares for these birds and animals. I decided to treat the pigeon on my own with some primary first aid. While the pigeon isn’t in a position to fly yet, it is seeing a progressive recovery.”
Involve your colony
While we see many people feeding strays and providing them with shelter, there are some who’ve come up with interesting ways to do so. Riddhi Palliwal, an active member of an animal and social welfare organisation, says, “Summers see strays struggling to find clean water to quench their thirst, so it’s always good to carry along some water and dry food that could prove useful for strays you might encounter.” Animal welfare volunteer Aman Khandelwal says, “Many birds and animals die during summer because of strokes and dehydration. This can be averted if we provide them basic food and water.” He suggests installing earthen pots and bowls in your colony and replenishing them with water regularly. All the residents in your locality can participate in this.
The least you can do for strays
Do not throw away leftovers. If fresh, they can be fed to strays.
Keep fresh water bowls in your garden which could be a great source for birds. Carry bottles of water in your car to feed strays.
If you come across an injured animal, call for medical help. The heat will only worsen the injury.