Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 11: Often people use the idiom go to the dogs in a disparaging way when they really get annoyed or when something has gone badly wrong. But now here comes an opportunity for Mangaloreans go to the dogs literally which in turn will bring you only happiness and unconditional love. Animal Care Trust (ACT), Shakthinagar, Mangalore has come up with adopt-a-thon, giving an opportunity for interested public to adopt puppies and kittens and give them a new lease of life. The theme of the camp is “go desi” as ACT has collection of only desi breeds rescued from the streets and market places. This is going to be like shopping but for your favourite desi breeds of pet animals. The only difference is that you don’t need to burden your pocket except for paying the vaccination and de-worming cost of Rs 300 at the time of adoption.

ACT will organize this day-long adoption camp on Sunday, October 12 from 11 am to 5 pm where pet lovers can choose from a number of native breeds of dogs and cats rescued by ACT over a period of time. The camp is organised at Hebich Institute, Near Shanti Church, Balmatta, Mangalore, for the convenience of prospective adopters. All you need to do is come and scout for your pet animal from among the group of canines at this camp and give it a loving home like yours.

ACT which is in the 14th year of its existence is conducting such a camp after a gap of ten years. This camp is conducted not just to give an opportunity for interested people to adopt but also to sensitize the general public on the importance of caring for animals. It is the responsibility of the society in finding a solution to the stray dog menace and adoption is one of the best ways to find a lasting solution. By this people can save a life and reduce the menace of street dogs to a great extent.

There is more than just an opportunity to adopt at this adopt-a-thon camp. It does not matter if people cannot adopt a pet animal for various reasons including lack of space. But there is nothing that can prevent people from giving a helping hand by registering as volunteers or to foster. People can even sponsor a pet or make a donation to the Trust if they wish to be associated with animal care.

In this camp the theme is go desi because most of the street cats and dogs available for adoption here are of native (desi) dogs, says Suma Nayak, Trustee of ACT. Along with that the trust highlights the fact that by adopting an animal people can save a life, save money and get rewarded with a true friend in a canine that can give you infinite love. “People generally do not want to have native dogs as pets for various reasons though taking care of them is easy and is less expensive. They hardly fall sick and are quite alert. For most Mangaloreans owning a foreign breed is fashionable and like making a style statement. So you find only native dogs as street dogs and not the foreign breed of dogs which are in demand. We have seen people leaving new born puppies of kaat dogs (as native dogs are called) on the streets and that is why puppy mills are on the rise”, she says.

In the adopt-on-thon ACT plans to have only 20 female puppies and 5 kittens for adoption because even for adoption people show a proclivity for male puppies or kittens. So ACT is left with more number of female puppies. Suma opines that female dogs are more alert, energetic, aggressive and lovable but people still prefer male dogs because they believe female dogs means trouble as it can attract male dogs and they give birth to puppies. But sterilizing the dog once it attains eight months of age solves all this problems. Suma says now there is a change of attitude among people towards female puppies, which no doubt, is a good development.

Giving puppies for adoption in order to give them a safe home is only a part of the responsibility for ACT. The institution which is entirely run on public donations keeps a track of the adopted homes so that it is able to follow up and keep a track of the animal given for adoption. Those who adopt puppies or kittens have to sign a declaration at the time of adoption that they shall take due care of the animal. The trust keeps a track of the new owners and follows it up reminding them about vaccination and sterilization though most owners abide by the declaration they have given.

Many a time it is common for people to look at the problem but not find a suitable solution. We complain about stray dogs and their menace but keep raising puppy mills because of our callous attitude. “The Kudroli incident was unfortunate one but it is a man made tragedy. We wake up only when there is an accident due to street dog or incident like the Kudroli one, completely forgetting that we are the root cause of it”, points out Suma. The benefits of adoptions are manifold. We can save a life, can save money (taking care of a native dog is less expensive) can reduce puppy mills and adoption can make people feel better giving a big boost to your health.

It is our bounden duty to care for the abandoned, neglected, abused and orphaned pets and provide them a lovable shelter in our homes. Here is an opportunity for us to do just that. It is generally said “you adopt a dog and you get a friend for life”. George Eliot had rightly said “Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms”.