Cruelty Towards Animals in all its Forms
If you thought that only killing or maiming were the manners in which cruelty towards animals was prevalent in our country, then you might have to think again. There are several ways in which animals are being troubled in our world today:
- Animals are often kept in enclosures that are much smaller than their size - they are literally caged, with no space to move. This leads to boredom, stress, and more importantly, physical health problems.
- On the one hand, animals might be kept in tiny cages, but on the other, they might have a complete lack of shelter - they are often left out in the open to fend for themselves, during extreme heat or cold.
- Then there is the actual physical abuse - in order to train animals, trainers often physically abuse and at times, downright torture the animals. Many times, there is also mental abuse, especially when animals are kept alone, locked up, and without any exposure to activities that they would do in the wild.
- Sometimes, factors as basic as proper water and food are not provided to these animals - they are kept in unhygienic conditions that can affect the overall health of the animal. Seeing them in such conditions makes one think about the urgent need for wildlife rehabilitation and release.
- When you enjoy the performance of animals at a circus or a theme park, have you ever really spared a thought to how they must have been trained? There are often whips, hooks, and even electric prods used to ensure that the animals do the bidding of the trainer.
- Although animal testing is reducing, there are still several laboratories, where animals are used for experiments and to test out treatment protocols. What is sad is that once their requirement is over, there is rarely any effort for the rehabilitation of these animals.
But What Provokes Cruelty?
There has to be a reason why animals are subjected to cruelty; there has to be a reason behind why humans attack, brutalize and even kill animals.
- In many cases, it is often just a lack of empathy; humans feel that animals are just that, animals, which means that they do not consider the emotions or physical wellness of animals as important.
- In some cultures and traditions, sacrificing animals is considered an important way of completing a particular religious procedure. People often don’t see animals as anything more than a commodity, meant to be used and thrown away.
- And then there are some people who have a psychological issue - by hurting animals, they feel a sense of power, and sexually abusing animals possibly offers a sense of pleasure.
- Seeing animals in difficult and dangerous situations - dog and cock fights, for instance, are often considered sources of entertainment.
Why is There a Need to Rescue Animals From Captivity?
Like we belong in our natural habitats, animals do too and while domesticated animals like dogs, cats, cows, and other such animals might thrive in a more human environment, wild animals are meant to be wild. In many situations, captive animals might not be able to return to the wild immediately, which is where conservation programs and NGOs for animal welfare come into play. They can not only assist with the rescue of animals but also offer the shelter and care that is needed before their rehabilitation can be considered complete and they can be eventually released back into the wild.
- Although there are zoos that offer comfortable living conditions for animals, there are several where animals are kept in small enclosures and lead miserable lives. There could be animal-saving organizations that run conservation programs too, and while many of them are started and run with good intent, there is still human interference. Moreover, there is no real assurance that the animals of the conservation or breeding programs will ever be released back into the wild.
- Animals need to be left in open spaces, where they have the chance to move with a sense of freedom and without fear in their minds. It is only after captive animals become used to being in the open again, can there is scope to release them back into the wild. In certain cases, these rescued animals might need lifelong care, because they might not be able to survive in the wild.
- There has to be social interaction for animals who thrive like that - this is actually an important part of the rehabilitation of animals because many species tend to live in the wild in groups or packs. If they have lived in solitude or confinement, then it is important to allow them to learn how to socialize again, before being released.
- For certain species, especially those that are on the endangered list, a protected habitat might be the better choice. In case they are released back into the wild, there is a chance that they might become victims of poaching.
Prominent NGOs for Animals in India Today
India is a country where there is a huge variety of animals, but that has also led to several of them being held captive for a range of reasons. Thankfully, there are several animal rescue NGOs that are working tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals into lives that they deserve to lead. Here are just some of them:
- People for Animals Wildlife Hospital and Rescue Centre: While the primary aim of promote compassion and respect for all animals, PFA has been working towards stopping all types of animal cruelty and offering medical care to animals who have been subjected to violence or neglect. They are actively involved in programs that support animal welfare and also run several awareness campaigns. Their workshops and programs are meant to create a certain amount of sensitivity among the people and offer a better life for animals.
- Humane Society International/India: This is actually a part of the Humane Society International, which has a presence in more than 50 countries. The NGO offers protection to not only wild animals but also domestic ones. They work towards improving farming methods where animals are used and ensure there are more ethical ways of testing, rather than animals being guinea pigs. Their work progresses through education and activism, through which they want to create a world that allows for the peaceful co-existence of humans and animals.
- Wildlife Sos: This NGO for animals is dedicated to conserving the animals of the country, as well as their natural habitats. They rescue all kinds of animals that might be in distress and aim to create sustainable livelihoods for communities that might be heavily dependent on animals. They have rescued several dancing bears and are also protecting leopards, elephants, and reptiles of various kinds from captivity and irresponsible breeding programs.
- Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations: Another NGO for animals in India, FIAPO works with more than 180 member organizations and has a presence in more than 110 cities of India. Through their activities, they offer protection to animals who are in captivity or domesticated. They not only conduct investigations into how animals are being farmed for their meat but also fight for their rights. Currently, they are in the process of building an emergency response network that could help bring justice to those who can't fight for it!
- Compassion Unlimited Plus Action - CUPA: Working towards rescuing and providing relief to animals who are victims of cruelty, they want to promote animal welfare in all forms. By instilling humanitarian values in people, they want to help foster a better relationship between humans and animals. The NGO also has several medical facilities, including a geriatric center, trauma and rescue center, and sterilization facilities.
- Friendicoes SECA: An animal shelter that goes above and beyond to help animals in need, Friendicoes has a huge sanctuary, where rescued wildlife is given the chance to live a comfortable life. Apart from cats, dogs, and bovine animals, they also run rescue programs for horses, mules, and dancing bears. In addition, they also offer shelter, clean drinking water, and food to several strays in the cities where they are proactive.
Give Discover offers a platform to all such animal protection organizations in India, where they can connect with generous donors and continue to do good work!
