MAJORDA: Fidoll Frida Pereira, a compassionate resident of Majorda, has dedicated her life to caring for sick, injured and disabled dogs, often rescuing them from garbage dumps and dangerous situations. What started as a small act of kindness has now transformed into a heartwarming family of over 50 dogs and 28 cats, each with its own unique story.
After a full day’s work as an entrepreneur, Fidoll’s evenings are a complete contrast. By 3 pm, she is back home, greeted by her motely family of animals that eagerly await her return. “They all come to the main road to pick me up,” she says. From blind dogs to those with broken spines, that drag themselves around, emaciated dogs with mange to cats with missing limbs, Fidoll spends hours providing love and care to her furry wards.
Fidoll’s compassion, however, extends beyond her own four-legged family. She ventures into coastal areas like Colva, Betalbatim, and Majorda, and the SGPDA market, Margao, to feed community dogs and cats, providing a little relief to her fellow feeders in the area. She not only feeds strays but also takes the initiative to get them sterilised at her own cost. Her kindness even reaches those with pet dogs, offering assistance in sterilisation.
Her affinity for animals dates back to her childhood, when she shared a love for them with her mother. Following her mom’s passing, Fidoll, along with her father, has embraced the responsibility of caring for her menagerie.
Despite her house being insufficient to contain her expanding family, Fidoll envisions a grander scale for her animal rescue operations. Actively seeking a suitable place, she plans to open a shelter. But her aspirations and dreams of establishing an ambulance service and a 24/7 animal hospital to provide continuous care for animals in need.
Fidoll invests her hard-earned income into the welfare of her animals, often facing societal rejection for caring for disabled creatures. “These dogs need special care, they cannot survive on the roads, but nobody wants them” she says, describing how she personally hand-feeds her blind dogs, treating them with the tenderness reserved for a child, and, in return, receives an abundance of unconditional love.
While her dedication is unwavering, challenges arise when medical assistance is required. The escalating costs can be daunting for any pet owner, let alone someone caring for over 80 animals. Despite these financial hurdles, Fidoll manages to provide for her animals, with her father playing a crucial role in this labour of love. However, she is always ready to accept help or assistance with open arms.
Recalling her father’s contribution, Fidoll shares, “He wakes up at 6.30 am to take them all out and feed them. It’s heart-breaking to see these helpless animals wandering the streets, often suffering brutal deaths.” She adds that she cares for animals with various disabilities, but to her, they are all the same— equal members of her cherished family.
