The state of animals is dire in Pakistan.

Zoos serve as prisons for wildlife, confining animals in cramped conditions for their whole life. ANIMALS ARE NOT DECORATIONS, they are intelligent, emotional creatures that require space and interaction with the natural environment.

Most Zoo animals suffer from various mental illnesses due to confinement and eventually die of stress related diseases. Kaavan the elephant also suffered from an intense case of 'Zoochosis' due to which he would always be swaying his head from side to side. The bears in Lahore Zoo were the same. These are only the animals I have seen personally.

Moreover, Zoos have a terrible impact on social mindset. What are we teaching our children? That animals are meant to be caged and displayed for our entertainment? “A good deed done to an animal is like a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as cruelty to a human being,” ~ Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

The story of Kaavan has opened our eyes to animal cruelty in Pakistan and given us a chance at redemption, let's not let the momentum die out. IT IS NOW OR NEVER. It is possible to change our current systems of cruelty. Zoos are an outdated aspect of society no matter how much they are renovated. The concept is flawed.

Pakistan also lacks basic facilities for stray animals. 50,000 dogs are poisoned or shot EVERY YEAR. Culling programs are ineffective at controlling populations and only lead to immense animal suffering... Often, puppies whose mothers have been killed, starve to death.

There are no government funded shelters and for small, private ones, every day is a struggle. Animals that have been hit by cars, abused and orphaned have no option but to die excruciating deaths.

Public mindset towards dogs, donkeys, and other animals is also one of resentment. Shelters and rescue services will make people aware of the needs of our street animals and what our behavior towards them should be.

It is time to ABOLISH ZOOS completely and ESTABLISH SHELTERS for our neglected strays. Share the petition and urge the Pakistani government to #ABOLISHZOOSESTABLISHSHELTERS. And, finally, talk about it with your friends, family and community. We can stop the needless suffering of hundreds of animals and give them happily ever afters just like we gave Kaavan.