Despite several rules that stand in favor of pet owners or animal feeders living in housing complexes, most of these enthusiasts’ face opposition, and in some cases, even threats from their neighbors to either abandon their pets or stop feeding the stray. One of the main issues why pet owners and feeders succumb to the pressure is due to lack of support from people in their own housing complex/building, rendering millions of animals homeless and even reducing the possible neuters that could’ve been performed, all while the lives of these poor, little souls could’ve been saved. One of the solutions that could help empower animal lovers, pet owners or animal feeders is by encouraging the housing complexes to create their own small Animal Welfare committees that would be considered a part of the other management committees that already exist. This would help create awareness among other people in the society regarding various Rights of Animals, pet-owners and Animal feeders.

Now the question arises- ‘Why do we need to bring this initiative into action?’ The answer to the question is as follows-

·       It is not illegal to feed stray animals.

·       It is illegal to cause harm to stray animals.

·       It is against the law to relocate stray animals from their territory

·       No one has the right to veto owning pets in an apartment complex

·       Pet owners cannot be denied the right to use elevators with their pets

·       Pets cannot be banned from parks

·       Pet owners cannot be asked to vacate their apartments

·       If there are notices put up forcing people to get rid of their pets, it is illegal. According to Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, this is a punishable offense.

Despite the facts and laws mentioned above, we still face problems wherein complaints are lodged against pet owners telling them to give their pets away; societies still frame ‘pet-ban’ policies and even now cat and dog feeders have to put up a fight in doing noble causes like feeding and neutering the stray animals. If there are committees in the apartments itself that help protect the rights of these animals, it would save many strays and more importantly, would make future residents aware about their ‘dos-and-don’ts’ when it comes to animals -either stray or pets. If there exists a law wherein such Animal Welfare Committees have to be formed in the housing complexes itself, it could save human-kind from committing cruel-crimes against these innocent souls and would provide not only a momentary solution, but could also emerge as a lasting solution.

If we wish to change the lives of these creatures, we first need to change the way we think, the way our fellow neighbors think. Animal Welfare Committees in Local housing societies could help empower and create an environment where not only the pet-owners or pet-feeders, but also the animals feel safe to reside. After all, this world belongs to them as much as it belongs to us. Please sign this petition and help the animals by helping me. We need to act now and Be the change we want to see in the world.