By Sandhya S, NewsKarnataka -Mangalore
In a case that exposed the ruthlessness of some humans to animals, a woman poisoned a little kitten after which she tied it in a plastic bag and threw it away in the dust bin just because it wandered around in her compound. Her nephew who came to know of his aunt’s deed, rescued the kitten. But as it was poisoned, it was not easy to save its life. Realising that he was helpless, the boy called The Animal Care Trust (ACT), an NGO that works for the cause of stray animals. The Animal Care Trust (ACT) nurtured the kitten, treated and fed it. The kitten responded to treatment and its life was eventually saved.
This is just one of the many good deeds that the Animal Care Trust (ACT) indulges into.They have a concern mainly for the abandoned and injured animals. The NGO caters particularly to stray animals.
Almost 14-years ago five animal lovers had initiated ‘Vatsalya’ under ACT which aimed to shelter stray animals and provide care to abandoned and sick animals of the society. ACT is a Registered Charitable Trust that is self- maintained and recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India. The Animal Care Trust initiates the ABC (animal birth control program) and ARV (anti rabies vaccination) for the areas under the Mangalore City Corporation, with an endeavor to get rigid rule of sterilization, vaccinating and licensing the animals.
Moreover ACT also strives to create awareness among youngsters in the wake of rise in cases of animal abuse. Their approach is to sensitize the people on the issue and try to develop a love towards animals.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Suma R Nayak who is one of the Trustees of the organization explained and showcased the daily affairs of the Animal Care Trust (ACT). “A rescue van goes around the city to catch animals that are stray. We then sterilize the animal so that the population is brought under control. In case the animals are injured, proper treatment is given to them after which they are left back at the same location from where they were lifted. In cases where the animals have an incurable disease, we shelter it and treat it time to time”, Nayak explained.
“We being Indian buy expensive foreign dogs but do not acknowledge our own Indian dogs. As a matter of fact these dogs have no place to go thus they land on streets. Rather than spending thousands of rupees on these foreign dogs and cats one can easily adopt an animal and care for it”, she added.
Adding to the details she said that if an animal is adopted from the Animal Care Trust (ACT), it is absolutely free, and the animal that you adopt is well treated and vaccinated. “Only a declaration has to be signed stating that you will get the young one for sterilization after 8 months of being adopted”, Suma explained.
In a recent case of illegal animal slaughtering four bulls were rescued by the Police officials. They were later handed over to ACT by the court. The cattle were badly injured and the treatment and care provided at ACT gave them a fresh lease of life, Suma said.
Although being a strict vegetarian Suma R Nayak faultlessly makes a statement saying, “I am not against non-vegetarians, but at least we as human beings can give them a dignified death, why add to their turmoil by over feeding them with contaminated products just with the hope of getting extra meat out of the animal.”
“Would you be able to eat the meat that has been put under so much pain?”, she questioned.
Animal Care Trust (ACT), is situated at Shakthi Nagar in Mangalore, the shelter name is ‘Vatsalya’ under which Ward ‘Lassy’ is dedicated to dogs, around 75 dogs can be housed, Ward ‘Misty’ is devoted to old and sick dogs, Ward ‘Dayakara’ is dedicated to helpless dogs with canine distemper and rabies, Ward ‘Dhruvtara’ is for housing injured and sick cats and cats under post-operative care and abandoned kittens, Ward ‘Mathrachaya’ for pregnant animals such as dogs, cattle, cats, where they can deliver and raise their young ones under our constant care.
ACT receives no aid from either the State or Central Governments or related agencies; You can go ahead and donate for the daily affairs of the NGO, make a contribution towards the organization, sponsor a pet or sponsor a day’s meal for all the animals. If you would not want to make a monetary contribution you also volunteer or become a member of ACT by assisting them in their daily affairs whenever you get time.
If mankind has been given the responsibility to rule over animal,
Let us live with compassion and peace towards animals,
Let us live with gratitude and not make these innocents sufferers stay in a hell of our making.
