Animals flee from the pouring rains and protect themselves from the thunder and lightning just like we do. With the recent flooding of the towns and villages of Goa, it is a common sight to see stray dogs, cats and even cattle running to take shelter in neighbouring shops and houses. Most people are kind and let the animals take shelter, whereas some people are bothered by their trespassing and chase them away.
Adrian Fernandes, a student of Don Bosco
College, Panjim, speaks about how strays have nowhere to go and are just left
out in the cold. He says, “But they do find a way out.” Anoushka Correa, also a
Don Bosco student, says, “It’s sad when you see that strays are just left to
fend for themselves during the monsoon. According to vets and people who have
experience in helping Indie breed dogs, I’ve been told that Indies are much
stronger and smarter by genes compared to purebred dogs. So, it’s a slight
relief to know that even though they are left to fend for themselves, they were
literally born for it, so they can do it. Survival comes slightly easier to
strays so I have mixed feelings towards strays being left out in the rains
during the monsoon.”
With no home and compassion from people, these animals are left
to survive and fend for themselves in the storm which leaves them subject to
different diseases. Shruti Mishra from Porvorim, a student, speaks about the
sad reality of these animals, “If they take shelter under shops or in
buildings, they are chased away. Shelters for stray animals should be set up
and basic amenities like water and food must be arranged. Drive slowly and be
alert for stray dogs on the road.” She also says that “people really need to
have some sympathy for poor animals on the street”.
Porvorim-based Nicole Alvares, another student, advised people
to at least make the smallest effort to keep them warm and give them food.
“Provide shelter and food or call the animal rescue,” she says. She further
explains how she dislikes people who show no compassion to stray animals who
are simply trying to survive.
As these animals have nowhere to keep themselves safe, they take
shelter under the warm bodies of cars and trucks. Often, they fall asleep there
but that leaves them in danger of being crushed if the vehicle is moved.
Anoushka, who also volunteers at an animal rescue, highlights this problem, “I
think people should check in or under their vehicles for strays, to be more
careful. Most of the times, that’s where they are for shelter during heavy
rains. Just as a precaution, people should check under the hood of their
vehicles too. I’ve seen a couple of videos of kittens under the hood of
vehicles so while that’s highly unlikely, it is still a possibility. And if you
aren’t able to check underneath or do a quick scan around, turn your vehicle on
for 30 seconds and just wait for anything under or around to move away.”
Many students voiced out what they thought could be a solution
to this annual issue. Anoushka says, “I think it all comes down to a choice.
It’s a good thing if one would want to take care of strays but it’s also not a
bad thing, if one doesn’t want to do anything about it. However, mistreating or
abusing strays should have the consequences of jail. While I want this to be a
reality, it won’t necessarily happen anytime soon.”
Adrian said, “People can help them by giving them temporary
shelter and not sending them away. I feel that people who do not care about
these innocent animals have no kindness at all. They should learn to respect
and love them or at least be little caring.”
Goans
are sentimental to the ill-treatment of animals and Goa has seen many outcries
and campaigns for the same. A number of students use social media as a platform
to spread awareness about the issues the stray animals face in the monsoon
season and remind people to be kind.