(IN) PfA starting innnovative projects in Kolkata

[Guest guest]

*Dear all,*

* This article has appeared in today's Kolkata edition of

Hindustan Times on the work of People for Animals Kolkata that is being run

by Mrs Poornima Toolsidass. A friend of mine at Hindustan Times was kind

enough to mail it across to me and I am circulating it as widely as possible

and would request you to do the same.*

*I am a life member of PfA and can state that she is among the

most committed and passionate individuals for animal causes I have ever had

the privilege of interacting with. What is more important, Aunty is a gem of

a human being. She is working very hard to help all these animals in the

People for Animals shelter in Kolkata. Please help her in any way possible.

For your understanding, you have my gratitude.*

* The animal world needs more friends like Aunty and all of us should do our

very best to aid her stalwart efforts. For more details please contact her

at **ptoolsidass* <ptoolsidass

* Thank you for your kindness.*

* All good wishes,*

**

**

* *

 

*HT Correspondent

n **letters* <letters

 

*KOLKATA: Pet therapy — a new concept to deal with geriatric problems such

as depression and loneliness through association with pets — will soon hit

the city if the dreams of the officials at the People For Animals (PFA), an

NGO working on animal rights come true. It has elaborate plans to inculcate

among children the habit of treating street animals in a more humane way.

Apart from planning to set up a state-of-art centre to boost animal birth

control and vaccination programmes for street dogs in Kolkata in a more

scientific and transparent manner, PFA officials have come up with a new

concept, which they think would not only help the citizens to overcome

depression and loneliness by spending time with animals but would also bring

down the number of cases of cruelty to animals drastically.

Managing trustee of PFA Purnima L. Toolsidass said, “We have approached

several schools in Kolkata and they have shown interest. We want to

inculcate the habit of treating street animals in a more humane manner. The

children are taught mathematics with the help of marbles and other inanimate

objects which are they compelled to memorise. But this learning would be

more interesting if the children are taught in a way like: There are two

dogs sitting on the footpath, two more join them. What is total number of

dogs now? Or one dog gives birth to two puppies, how many puppies would be

born from four dogs? The students would not only find it easier and

interesting but would also develop a bonding with these animals in the

future.”

She also said the schools spend thousands of rupees on cultural activities

like fests. If a small amount is kept aside for street animals which live in

the school’s vicinity for their treatment, vaccination and sterilisation

then it would not only help the community but would also help the animals as

well. The school children have to undertake SUPW work. If this concept can

be introduced it would help the society immensely.

“We are also planning to approach old age homes where several senior

citizens who have been abandoned live. At times they feel very depressed and

lonely. If they could be brought to the PFA’s hospital Ashari where several

animals like dogs, cats, birds, horses among other live, the elderly can

have a good time,” Toolsidass added.

Officials of PFA said that even though no survey has been done on street

dogs and cats in Kolkata but approximately there are at least 50,000 dogs

residing in the streets while the number of cats is higher. “We have plan to

set up a state-of-the-art centre from where animal birth control programme

for street dogs in Kolkata would be carried in a more scientific and

transparent manner. We have also approached the Kolkata Municipal

Corporation and they have asked us to submit the

project plan. We have already received a donation of Rs 10 lakh from MP

Chandan Mitra from his MPLAD fund,” she added.

The project would have kennels for at least 20 dogs, operation theatres,

pathological laboratories, and refrigeration-units to store vaccines, vet

surgeons and paramedical staffs. At least 60-80 dogs could be treated and

vaccinated per month.

Toolsidass added that some of the horses, which had come to the animal

hospital from West Bengal and Kolkata Police, were old and ailing. Most of

them were old and suffering from wounds and had attained old age and were

suffering from wounds and degenerative diseases when they arrived. The

hospital staff is doing their best to treat them.*