Animal lovers to sensitise students about strays

In order to spread awareness about stray animals, 25-year-old freelance interior designer Harshita Sharma, a Navi Mumbai-based resident has started with an initiative – Pawstruck.

The initiative aims at encouraging the school and college students to take care of the stray animals by feeding and helping them during an emergency situation.

Explaining about the month-old initiative, Harshita said, "Pawstruck is an initiative which organises awareness sessions regarding stray animals. It advocates the idea of contributing to stray animals by feeding them once a week. The sessions will be conducted by veterinary doctors in various schools and colleges in the city. As children are less aware about the condition of strays in our surrounding, these seminars are for students, since this is the next generation and it's the best time when we can mould their minds in taking the right steps towards sensitising them about the strays around us."

Sharma who has rescued over six stray dogs so far is trying to rope in elected representatives to spread the initiative. "I recently wrote to the prime minister's office (PMO) about this initiative, and, they contacted me to know more about it. I will soon be also sending details of the initiative to the board of animal welfare. And, I am planning to bring this topic in the school academic syllabus," said Sharma.

The first seminar was conducted in St. Josephs Junior college for class 12 for around 220 students. Talking about the sessions and the veterinary doctor involved in the initiative, Sharma, added, "Veterinary doctor Shobha Rao conducted the session. I am trying to rope in more vets to get involve in this initiative. The sessions include topics like benefits of having these strays around, what food should we feed them, what should be done in case of a rabid dog bite, awareness about the animal birth control (ABC) program and helping the strays during emergency situation. Lastly, we also provide with a list of NGOs and organisations which can be useful in case of an emergency."

Sharma is also looking for volunteers and donations for collecting food for the stray dogs. "Everyone is invited to be a volunteer or contribute for the food we will be feeding to the strays once a week," says Sharma.