PNS | DEHRADUN
As cold weather persists across Uttarakhand with brief spells of comparatively warmer days, the plight of stray animals remains largely ignored. These stray animals face life-threatening challenges due to harsh weather, scarcity of food and lack of shelter. Underlining the urgency of addressing this issue, animal welfare activist Rubina Nitin Iyer said, “Everyone, whether human or animal, has the right to live a dignified life. Unfortunately, people often do not want stray animals near them,” she said, highlighting the social reluctance that hampers efforts to ensure the welfare of these animals.
Medical experts are witnessing the toll of the cold wave on stray animals. Dehradun-based veterinarian Dr Amit noted a rise in cases of pneumonia, lung congestion and conditions like cough and cold among strays during winters. When asked about the lack of shelters for stray dogs, Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board member Dr Harendra Sharma admitted that while the government provides shelters for humans and cattle, stray dogs are left to face the harsh weather. However, he noted that indigenous dog breeds have good immunity and can better adapt to winter conditions.
Meanwhile, Iyer stressed that addressing this crisis requires empathy and collaborative efforts from both authorities and citizens. “While winters are harsh for humans, they are brutal for animals with no voice to demand help,” she said. She also proposed innovative, low-cost solutions that localities in Dehradun could adopt to mitigate the crisis. “Makeshift shelters such as beds made from parali (crop residue) or cardboard drums lined with bedrolls can be some of the ways to protect these strays, especially dogs during winters,” she suggested. Highlighting the role of the government, she emphasised that authorities could inspire collective action by using promotional hoardings to encourage locals to care for stray animals in their surroundings.
