Re:Delhi protests Bangalore culling of strays, 10 Mar. article

[Guest guest]

Dear Devika,

 

I believe that one of the things that animal activists need to do is to present

our case in a way that convinces people generally of the merits and commonsense

of our position for people as well as animals, and selling the solution (ABC)

rather than simply protesting. This can be a long road but is worth it. I

travelled to India many times on business over the last 10 years (including

Bangalore) and spent over 20 years in Asia. I appreciate that India faces many

societal challenges and like everywhere many animals have a hard life, one thing

that impressed me was a general expression of empathy for animals, even where

many people have a hard life. Although the news from Bangalore was

depressing, as an outsider I hope that you can take heart in that your country

is the only one I know where a court (the Bombay High Court) has intervened on

behalf of street dogs. The Governor of Karnataka is to be commended for his

comments in support of humane actions. I wish that our Australian courts had

jurisdiction to hear cases which might challenge our live sheep exports.

 

PS-The name of your organization, Cattitude, is excellent. Best wishes for your

continued efforts.

 

Chris Osborn

Perth Australia

 

 

-

devika khazvini

aapn

Monday, March 12, 2007 1:52 AM

Re:Delhi protests Bangalore culling of strays, 10 Mar. article

 

 

As one of the many who love animals, I have found the past few days traumatic,

not merely because of the terrible news, but because when we tried to rally

support in the form of signatures, we were appalled at the number of " nice,

educated people " who refused outright to support the protest and stated

categorically that they didn't care as long as the strays were removed...these

are people who, on a day-to-day basis support our animal welfare activities by

lending their time or talents, even by donating money.

 

What it means, in effect, is that somewhere we have failed. And now, we who

wish to protect animals can NEVER afford to let our guard down, to let a

situation get out of control, to ignore the signs of conflict between man and

animal - the price, as we have discovered, is way too high.

 

We need to work harder, rally more support, educate people much more

effectively, and stick together! That's the only way to help our animals.

 

Devika

The Cattitude Trust

 

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Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.7/713 - Release 3/7/07 9:24 AM

 

[Guest guest]

Working for Animal Welfare,upholding the rights of animals in India is

looked upon as the most silly thing to do. Be it in the family,Indian

Parliament or any platform in the Indian society an individual or NGO

voicing for animals is more often laughed upon. Animal laws are

perhaps the lowest on priority.

 

Why so?

This is the question we must be asking within the group.

Can it change? How?

 

Azam

 

On 3/11/07, devika khazvini <copycatt wrote:

> As one of the many who love animals, I have found the past few days

> traumatic, not merely because of the terrible news, but because when we

> tried to rally support in the form of signatures, we were appalled at the

> number of " nice, educated people " who refused outright to support the

> protest and stated categorically that they didn't care as long as the strays

> were removed...these are people who, on a day-to-day basis support our

> animal welfare activities by lending their time or talents, even by donating

> money.

>

> What it means, in effect, is that somewhere we have failed. And now, we who

> wish to protect animals can NEVER afford to let our guard down, to let a

> situation get out of control, to ignore the signs of conflict between man

> and animal - the price, as we have discovered, is way too high.

>

> We need to work harder, rally more support, educate people much more

> effectively, and stick together! That's the only way to help our animals.

>

> Devika

> The Cattitude Trust

>

> ----------

>

>

>

> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.7/713 - Release 3/7/07 9:24

> AM

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Azam,

 

I completely agree to what you said! And also to what Devika has mentioned!

 

And to your question on why it is laughed upon and how it needs to be

changed - I think to me the answer is first of all people (I hope it is

only 'some') working for animals should change their attitude. Very often

(may be we ourselves have done it at some time or the other) when we are on

the streets and saw somethign happening, a lot of people tend to ignore this

for various reasons (1) may be they feel awkward to voice their opinion cos

like you said in most places campaigning or working for animals is treated

as a silly thing to do (2) may be they feel it is not worth the effort and

for others; well that is not what they were(are) there for. (this i say cos

I have personally witnessed an incident wherein a few years ago there was a

demo by one of the animal groups in front of an establishment against

atrocities against chicken and during the course of it, a bike with chickens

hung upside down, with their heads scraping the ground went THROUGH the

group, and you know what, the people holding up the boards gave way to it!)

I and me with me so many others bystanders wondered if it was only because

may be, may be those chickens would afterall end up on a road side stall and

not at the establishment!

 

So my friend, there is a long way to go before we are successful to educate

or mentor the public (some who are not into animals). We (I am not excluding

myself) need to retospect our actions first and then reach out to the public

else they will have no faith in what we say and anything said or done even

by people who are dedicated 100% to this work, will fall on deaf ears;

(public includes commoners and civic authorities)! This also requires all of

us standing united for a cause that personally can give you nothing more

than satisfaction and for the animals, probably their life!

 

Thanks,

Pablo

 

 

On 3/12/07, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> Working for Animal Welfare,upholding the rights of animals in India is

> looked upon as the most silly thing to do. Be it in the family,Indian

> Parliament or any platform in the Indian society an individual or NGO

> voicing for animals is more often laughed upon. Animal laws are

> perhaps the lowest on priority.

>

> Why so?

> This is the question we must be asking within the group.

> Can it change? How?

>

> Azam

>

> On 3/11/07, devika khazvini <copycatt <copycatt%40hathway.com>>

> wrote:

> > As one of the many who love animals, I have found the past few days

> > traumatic, not merely because of the terrible news, but because when we

> > tried to rally support in the form of signatures, we were appalled at

> the

> > number of " nice, educated people " who refused outright to support the

> > protest and stated categorically that they didn't care as long as the

> strays

> > were removed...these are people who, on a day-to-day basis support our

> > animal welfare activities by lending their time or talents, even by

> donating

> > money.

> >

> > What it means, in effect, is that somewhere we have failed. And now, we

> who

> > wish to protect animals can NEVER afford to let our guard down, to let a

> > situation get out of control, to ignore the signs of conflict between

> man

> > and animal - the price, as we have discovered, is way too high.

> >

> > We need to work harder, rally more support, educate people much more

> > effectively, and stick together! That's the only way to help our

> animals.

> >

> > Devika

> > The Cattitude Trust

> >

> > ----------

> >

> >

> >

> > Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.7/713 - Release 3/7/07

> 9:24

> > AM

> >

> >

> >