This Mumbai Boy Is Feeding Stray Animals Every Day Since Lockdown

This veterinary student from Mumbai is helping feed stray animals who don’t have access to food since the lockdown

For those who think that only human beings happen to face the difficulties and hardships of a distressing time like such, this veterinary student from Mumbai will help you shift your focus to just how bad animals have it.

COVID-19 has also had an equally scarring impact on the lives of stray animals across the nation and unfortunately like us they don’t have a voice. In a bid to help the suffering of these animals, Sagun Bhatjiwale is feeding these animals along with the help of some other good samaritans like himself.

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#NBglobaldiaries: OUR ANIMALS // Sagun Bhatjiwale is a veterinary student from Mumbai, and is part of the Nature's Ally Foundation: an NGO dedicated to the welfare of birds, animals and trees. “My heart reaches out to the stray animals of the city, who face the scarcity of food and lack of water on a daily basis, struggling with extreme starvation and dehydration, as human activity has decreased to an unprecedented level. The shutting down of restaurants and eateries has completely stopped the usual leftovers that are discarded in garbage bins. I could not bear to see the stray animals suffer, so I decided to do something about it. I reached out for help, but no one was ready to risk coming out during the lockdown. I managed to convince a college canteen to help me cook the rice meal for the strays every morning. I purchased the meals with my own meagre savings. Another major obstacle was finding transport to help me carry the food. I could not drive myself and I do not have a car of my own. Luckily a local animal lover, Rakesh Gupta, agreed to drive me. We would get up at 4 am, cook and pick up the rice meal from the canteen and start the no hunger drive. I served some food in plastic bowls and offered it to the strays, making sure to pick up the bowls after they were done. I encountered some pregnant dogs, some lactating mothers with their pups, and many old infirm and/or emaciated ones, who could not scout for food themselves. I used to feed 100-150 dogs per day. It was very heartening to see them eat hungrily. I spent 6-7 hours every morning doing this. I was stopped multiple times by policemen who questioned why I am out on the streets during the lockdown, but they allowed me to continue feeding the stray animals. I have managed until now, and hope to continue until the lockdown ends. Personally, this time has taught me that sometimes you have to overcome the fear of putting yourself at risk and just go out there to make a difference. I want to encourage others to participate and feed the strays in your locality, keep a bowl of water outside and regularly refill it. If anyone would like to join me in saving our animals, contact me at @saguningenious3254 💛

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