Animal lovers in Kolkata help strays beat the heat

During the lockdown, hundreds of people came out of their houses to feed stray animals in Kolkata every day. With closed restaurants and humans not frequenting the streets, stray dogs and cats were on the verge of starvation. But a few good Samaritans came forward to help them. Yet again, as scorching heat is making life difficult, especially for the voiceless, several individuals and NGOs have come forward to help.

According to the met department, last March was the hottest in the last 122 years and needless to say that stray animals suffer the most. “Without access to clean water and shades, these animals often get heat strokes and skin rashes among other complications. So, we have started going out in the afternoon and feeding them with curd-rice, fruits, and water. We often give them basic treatments for their wounds and medicines to help them to beat the summer heat,” said

Priyanka Sadhukhan

, a student and an animal lover.

Somesubhra De

, a dog breeder, has almost adopted the local dogs in his locality in

Kasba

and lets them rest in his pet shop in the afternoon. “I used to shut my shop in the afternoon and go home to feed my own dogs. But now, these stray dogs would come to my shop looking for some shade. How can I stop them from entering,” he said.

Somshubhra

said that if someone wants to help these animals during summer, the first thing to do is to give them access to clean water. “Thereafter, if it is possible, give them a bath. They would love it. Avoid any high protein diet and feed them with curd and fruits,” he added.