Heatwave crisis: Citizens urged to help birds, animals stay hydrated

During the heatwave, birds and stray animals are suffering from severe thirst and dehydration. NGOs and animal groups are urging citizens to place water bowls and food outside homes. Experts also encourage careful handling of exhausted animals and involving children.

Sangareddy: As animals and birds struggle to quench their thirst during the rising temperatures, already classified as a heatwave, the role of citizens in providing succour to them becomes crucial.

While several voluntary groups and animal lovers step up their activities and provide water bowls, citizens too can join the endeavour to help the animals and birds and save lives. NGOs point out that as the temperatures rise sharply, the birds, stray dogs, cats, and animals find it difficult to quench their thirst and many die due to dehydration and lack of food.

Shiva Kumar of All for Animals Foundation, which has been playing a vital role in providing water and food to the birds and animals during the summer, called upon the citizens to place water bowls on terraces, balconies, and besides keeping bowls on the premises of houses. He urged them to keep grains and fruits close to the water bowls.

NGO representatives point out that the street dogs, finding it difficult to quench their thirst during the summer, could turn aggressive and attack the people.

Pradeep Nair, founder of Animal Warriors Conservation Society (AWCS), observed that the citizens must consult experts or NGOs to know how to handle the dehydrated birds. If birds are found lying exhausted on the ground, they should be provided with some water before calling the NGOs or forest department.

Nair also asked the parents to involve children in refilling water bowls every day so that the young minds develop a sense of responsibility towards other beings.

Help injured or exhausted birds:

• Birds, at times, get weak because of the heat

• If you see a bird lying still, gently move it to the shade and offer some water

• If it does not recover, call a local bird rescue centre

• Don’t trim tree branches during summer since birds rest in shadows

Spread awareness:

• Post your water bowl images on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp groups to inspire others to follow

• Keep some pebbles in water bowls so that bees won’t drown in water

• Involve children: It helps nourish them to develop compassion towards animals and birds

Help the birds and animals during extreme heat this summer with the help of different NGO working in the field. Several NGOs are distributing free water bowls, which the citizens can collect by calling them over the phone. These NGOs can also be called for rescue and rehabilitation of birds and animals.

NGOs providing water bowls:

• Animal Warriors Conservation Society (AWCS): 9346790609

• Aasra Animal Shelter for Rescue Aid: 7893993955

• Citizens for Animals: 9603733207

• All for Animals Foundation: 9949092194, 9246297020

• Shakuntala Society for Welfare of Animals and Nature (S.W.A.N.): 9989994376