An NGO comes up with a unique initiative to help the beast of burden in distress.
You have heard of stray cats and dogs being adopted but how about adopting a donkey? The unusual donkey adoption programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, is being floated by an NGO - The Donkey Sanctuary India - that aims to provide a home to the much riled and abused beast of burden.
Those interested can adopt donkeys that are healthy but not fit to work. And as is the case with all adoptions, the NGO is keen that the donkey is given to families who are genuine animal lovers and have the time and resource to spend on the animal.
When asked about the unusual, if not radical concept, of having a donkey as a pet, Dr Ramesh Kumar Perumal, veterinary coordinator of the Donkey Sanctuary India, said that the idea is not new in the West, even though it may be unheard of in India.
“Donkeys are very friendly and docile animals, which are easy to maintain as pets. Very few people know that donkeys can be good pets and possess therapeutic benefits for physically and mentally challenged children and even older people. There is enough evidence on the benefits of Donkey Assisted Therapy,” said Perumal.
According to Dr Perumal, the only disadvantage is that the animals can bray a bit loud. Doctors, who work at the facility, admit that it can be a bit difficult for people to get convinced about adopting donkeys as the animals have a very low status among animals in India.
“People feel that donkeys are meant for hard work, to be abused and kept by the poorer section of the community,” said Dr Saroja Ramesh, another veterinarian at the Donkey Sanctuary India.
To ensure that the prospective adoptive families do not mistreat the animals, the NGO also plans to have a donkey adoption agreement that will list out all the conditions, including care and management of the animal.
The veterinarian also insisted that they would take back the animal if it is not taken care of properly. Those who do not have the resources to keep a donkey at their home can adopt an animal too, by sponsoring the upkeep (food, medicine, treats) of the donkeys that have found shelter at the sanctuary.
The NGO will also provide much needed training on donkey care and management, information on the natural behaviour, nutritional requirements apart from providing medical care and furriery (hoof trimming on regular basis) free of charge for the adopted donkey.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}