Animal activists seek help to keep strays warm

HYDERABAD: The unprecedented chill in the air has left stray animals trembling and animal activists, who do not wish to see the strays suffer, are making an appeal to denizens to leave their woollens, blankets, towels and warm clothes outside shops and on pavements to ensure that the animals do not suffer from the freezing nights.
Some volunteers in the city are also collecting newspapers and old blankets for the abandoned and ailing animals at rescue shelters in the city.To keep the injured dogs, cats and other animals stay warm, People for Animals (PFA) appealed to animal lovers and community animal protectors (CAPs) across the city to donate warm clothes and newspapers at their shelter in Afzalgunj.
Volunteers of PFA have put up requests on WhatsApp and social media platforms for those who could drop the clothes they want to donate for the animals. Dattatreya Joshi, executive officer, PFA, said stray animals as well as those being treated in rescue homes find it extremely difficult to tackle winter chill. The animals on streets suffer the most as they do not have a safe place and spend most of the time under the open sky. “In some cases, because of the severe cold, they could fall sick and not survive,” Joshi said.
Further explaining as to why they took up the initiative, he said: “Costs to sustain and maintain the shelter, as well as those required to fight for animal rights are high. We depend on people’s donations to rescue, feed, provide the necessary veterinary care and protect the animals.”