Animal lovers across Goa have been keeping water bowls for strays to beat the heat

Goa is scorching under unprecedented temperatures of 32-34 degree celsius. Though people are handling and coping with the heat and humidity, it is the street animals and birds that are the worst affected. Animal lovers across Goa are coming together to help these animals to beat the heat by distributing waterproof water bowls.

NGO

’s help procure
water bowls
Atul Sarin of Welfare for Animals, has ordered around 50 waterproof water bowls which can contain around seven litres of water. “These cement water bowls need to be stored at open places and have to be filled with clean drinking water so that animals can drink from them. They don’t cost much and this effort can make a lot of difference to the animals around.”Animal welfare, Samarpan Foundation has started a Water Bowl Project – where they support and encourage independent animal welfare volunteers by sponsoring what was required. “If every resident could provide for a little shelter from the sun or create temporary shades, it will help animals form getting sunstroke – one of the biggest threats for animals is sun stroke and dehydration,” says Pinkie Hirani,

Volunteer

at Samarpan Foundation. Being aware is most important says animal activist, Rakhi Puri. “We are getting people from areas like Old Goa,

Bicholim

,

Ponda

to pick up these water bowls. The heat is unbearable for us; imagine the street animal and birds. Social media too helps in creating awareness among people.”
Dr Karlette Anne Fernandes, a vet tells us that last year they had faced issues where the bowls were broken or stolen. “Last year, we noticed that the bowls would disappear – turn into flower pots or crushed by people who want to park their vehicles. Everyone should have the right to access water even the animals,” she says.
Restaurants are also helping out these animals
It’s not just animal lovers but also an initiative that restaurant owners are taking to keep the strays hydrated around their area. Katya Coelho who owns a restaurant at Calangute-Baga stretch says, “We have kept clay bowls which are filled with water in the surrounding of our restaurant, for a few strays. They are refilled throughout the day. Initially we kept steel ones, but they tend to heat up, that is when we decided to use clay ones.”