Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, an animal rights activist from Greater Noida, is in Joshimath to rescue the dogs that have been left behind in Joshimath.
Joshimath,UPDATED: Jan 19, 2023 00:03 IST
Several pet dogs were left behind in Joshimath as their owners evacuated their homes (India Today photo)
By Abhishek Anand: As residents of the ‘sinking’ town of Joshimath vacate their homes, many are leaving their pets behind. Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, an animal rights activist from Greater Noida who also runs SMART sanctuary, a centre for abandoned animals in Uttarakhand, is in Joshimath to rescue the dogs that have been left behind in Joshimath.
Several households in the alpine region, especially those which reside near the forest areas, kept dogs as protection against leopards. These dogs have been abandoned on the rooftops of houses as their owners fled their homes.
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Kaveri told India Today, “As per reports from four affected wards, 194 pet dogs and 755 cows are there, and 70 families have already evacuated, leaving their pets behind. We have met the chief veterinary officer and locals who are helping us. People don’t want to abandon their pets but they don’t have any other option.”
Kaveri is working with the local authorities to check every house and ensure that no pets are left behind. “We are going from house to house to ensure that no pet dogs are left behind. We are in constant touch with the chief veterinary officer of Chamoli, Dr Pralayankar Nath. Further strategies are being chalked out. We have food for dogs, we are trying our best,” said Kaveri.
Another animal rights activist, Sanjay Mohapatra, is scheduled to reach Joshimath on January 21. He said that with the help of the authorities, he is planning to build a shelter for abandoned cattles. “We are in talks with locals. A local resident is ready to accommodate at least 50 cows on his land. We will build a shelter for them and will carry food for them too,” said Mohapatra.
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