It’s a good idea to provide water to thirsty animals and birds this summer season. However, frequent pilferage of water bowls at public places for the animals can be irksome.
Keeping these factors in mind, Sarita Raturi, an NRI from Atlanta, has decided to provide over 1,000 custom-built concretized water bowls free of cost for the sake of stray animals.
Talking to TOI from Atlanta, Raturi said, “The advantage of keeping cement water bowls in public areas is that they are rather heavy and not very attractive for thieves. Hence, animal lovers don’t have to worry about these water bowls disappearing.”
Raturi, who is financing the cement water bowl project on her own, added that it costs around Rs 90 to manufacture one such bowl. “People can contact me at saritaraturi@hotmail.com in order to receive these bowls in their areas,” she said.
She had earlier distributed around 4,000 cement water bowls in Mumbai and its suburbs. However, with the growing demands in the satellite city, Raturi felt the need to install water bowls here.
The volunteers of Thane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) had also faced the bitter experience of people stealing water bowls meant for animals and birds. However, after they started cementing the base of these bowls, the thefts reduced. “In the last 15 days, there have already been around 40 cases of stray dogs and birds fainting due to dehydration. Such incidents can be avoided if there are filled water bowls in every locality,” said Ganesh Nayak, animal welfare officer from Animals Matter To Me .
He added that it is inhuman to steal the water bowl, which is for the animals to quench their thirst.
A group of Navi Mumbai-based animal carers are also planning to introduce an animal helpline number so that citizens can notify the nearest animal
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