It's a real pity that the govt has done nothing and taken no concrete steps to tap the most important human resource, the caregivers in the process of stray dog sterilization and annual rabies vaccination.
The caregivers are not unemployed people who are absolutely free and nothing else to do but to take care of the stray dogs.
They lead a dual life. One for their family, friends and society. Where like every other Indian they too work in office, do the necessary household chores and do everything possible which any other average Indian does. They too have the same 24 hours a day and 7 days in a week.
The other life the caregivers lead is for their furry friends. Unfortunately no Indian has tried to do any kind of academic research in this area but experience tells us that on an average a caregiver in India takes care of 5 to 6 dogs.
Keeping one dog as a pet takes so much of ones time and energy. Imagine what it must be like to take care of 5 to 6 dogs?
Anyhow to add to it the caregiver often faces regular fights and humiliation for taking care of the dogs from their own neighbours and RWA.
Keeping a balance between the two lives is not an easy task for a caregiver in India. It's very torturing, difficult and humiliating.
On 24th December few unsterilised dogs were picked up in a van from Chattrarpur area ( South Delhi). The caregiver Ranjana (M-9650021462 ) came to know of it by few residents of the area. The next day she contacted all the nearby Sterilization centres where dogs of Chattarpur area are taken but they all denied about the dogs being dropped at their centre. When she got no clue about the dogs she posted the information on the WhatsApp animal groups.
This is the message which was posted by her on Christmas day:
"Can someone give me MCD dr. mobile number who is looking after sterilization in south delhi Chattarpur area...few dog have been picked up on 24th at 7 PM from D Block Chattarpur Enclave. Everybody is denying that they have not picked up the dogs�"
The doctors number of the SDMC ( South Delhi Municipal Corporation) was shared and whatever way the members of the group could help they helped. But it's been 4 days now but no news of the dogs.
When the doctor of the SDMC was contacted he told the caregiver to send him a whatsapp message about the missing dogs. That was the only help the caregiver received from the municipal corporation.
The MCD is officially the guardian of the stray dogs but what does their attitude and behaviour tell us?
They are hardly bothered about what happens to the dogs of their constituency.
The stray dogs are unfortunately and unofficially only the responsibility of the caregivers. So now Ranjana is trying to find out if there are any CCTV footage of the incident. We can only hope and pray that they get some camera footage that too if the cameras are installed there and are working.
Incidents of dogs being kidnapped for dog meat are also happening in the capital city. Few incidents have got reported recently.
This is what happens when the system is weak. It gives rise to lawlessness and rise of criminal elements.
We are hoping that nothing like that has happened to the dogs.
Why can't a direct collaboration be done between the colonies and the Sterilization centre? That way every caregiver will know exactly where the dogs of their locality have gone. This will minimize incidence of dog relocation and wrong drop. Also no kidnapping can be ever done because the colony people will know exactly who is taking the dogs and no dog can be taken without the permission of the RWA (Resident Welfare Association) or the caregivers of that colony.
Also the caregivers can help in getting the dogs picked for Sterilization. And they can tell exactly which dog is healthy to be taken for Sterilization. Many times sick dogs are taken and they eventually die post Sterilization.
This time of the year is the best part of the year as everybody is waiting for the new year. People are decorating their houses and planning holidays and parties with their close ones.
But the caregivers of India are not very happy especially at this time of the year as it is quite cold. Each day they are fighting for their four legged friends. They fight to keep them warm, they fight to get them fed, and caregivers like Ranjana are fighting to keep them alive.
This is the sad story of every caregiver in India.....