What Is an Animal Centre: A Complete Guide

Animal Welfare

India has a significant population of stray animals. According to a study, the country has an estimated 6.2 crore stray dogs and 91 lakh street cats. Stray animals can cause various problems, from communicable diseases to traffic accidents. India has a high number of rabies cases, which cause nearly 20,000 deaths annually.  

An effective way to solve the problem of stray animals is to build shelters for them. However, the welfare of stray animals has been a concern raised by voluntary or non-profit organisations. For example, there are several non-profit animal shelters in Punjab that carry out commendable jobs by taking care of stray animals from providing them with medical aids to giving them food, water and shelter.    

Why Must We Create Animal Shelter Homes?

Besides causing problems such as diseases and traffic accidents, stray animals are often victims of abuse, neglect, and hunger. They have to face harsh conditions such as extreme weather. India has laws to protect stray animals, but they still face many problems. For instance, building animal shelters in Punjab and running them efficiently is one sure way to help these animals. Adopting stray animals can be the next stage in providing them with a better life. 

For example, Earthling Trust runs a shelter home for stray and abandoned dogs. Their motto is to rescue, nurture, rehabilitate, love, and heal these animals. Adopting stray animals can reduce the burden on shelter homes and ensure fewer stray animals are on the street. 

Adopting a stray animal can give it a loving home and reduce the number of strays on the streets. 

How do Animal Shelter Homes work?

An animal shelter is a space created for animals who have no home. They could be found on the street and other public places. They are uncared for, suffering from neglect, and diseases. The stress can cause these animals to behave aggressively, causing injuries and accidents. 

An animal shelter in Punjab, for example, is a welcoming space for stray, abandoned, lost, or sick animals. Anyone can take a stray animal to the shelter and submit it to them. An animal shelter provides animals with food, water, shelter, and veterinary treatment. It also finds loving homes for these animals for adoption, creating another opportunity for a happy life. 

As the job of an animal shelter involves working for animals, both the organisation and the people working for it should be highly motivated and committed to the cause of animal welfare. An animal shelter and the people responsible for running it efficiently are precisely that.   

Benefits of Animal Centre 

Rescue of Stray Animals: Stray animals have a tough life with no one to take care of. An animal shelter home rescues such animals and provides them with basic needs and veterinary aid. 

Reducing Stray Animal Population: By rescuing stray animals from the streets and public places, animal shelters play a critical role in reducing the population of such animals on the street. It helps traffic run smoothly and avoid accidents caused by strays. 

Preventing Cruelty: Stray animals are often poorly treated, with some even being cruel. A shelter home works with law enforcement agencies to ensure strays are not meted out cruelty.

Promoting Compassion: An animal shelter home that cares for the strays promotes compassion and empathy towards animals. The community benefits from this culture of noble initiatives.  

Volunteer Opportunities: An animal shelter is a social initiative where community members work due to their commitment to animal welfare. It brings about volunteer opportunities and helps the members develop a holistic approach to life. 

Role of Volunteer and No-profits 

Setting up an animal shelter for stray dogs is a community initiative, and people interested in this area are coming together to create and run such animal homes. The money to run it efficiently comes from donations from government agencies and private individuals. The example of Earthling Trust shows that motivated individuals can join hands and create a liveable and happy space for stray and uncared animals. 

However, the funds required to run a voluntary organization and its animal home project can be challenging. Government agencies and business houses should help these voluntary organizations with funds.

No-profits working in this field should ensure donors’ trust by running their operations with transparency and dedication to create an impressive track record.  

How Businesses and Individuals Can Support Animal Shelters 

Businesses and private individuals can support animal shelters by way of donations, volunteering, and adopting stray animals. 

Funds are of crucial importance for running an organisation. The work of an animal shelter requires funds to run it efficiently. Businesses and individuals can make liberal donations to these shelters.

Volunteering is a profoundly satisfying activity. At different times, we all want to work selflessly as volunteers. An animal shelter offers immense opportunities to care for animals. Individuals can volunteer, while businesses can engage with them in any possible economic arrangements. 

A love for animals is natural, with dogs and cows finding greater favor with most people. Adopting a puppy or a homeless dog from an animal shelter can be a good way to find your next pet. 

Final Thoughts 

Animal shelters are a great way to show our love for animals. These homes can house stray animals, provide them with food and water, and get them medical aid for any diseases or health issues they are facing. 

Running an animal shelter is primarily a work that is more popular with non-profits and voluntary organizations. Many motivated, dedicated, and able people with compassion for animals have taken different initiatives in this regard. Earthlings Trust, which provides a home for stray dogs and other animals, is a perfect example to emulate. 

We can at least support Earthlings Trust and similar organizations by helping them open new branches such as animal shelters in Punjab

Businesses and individuals should donate to such homes for animals. They should accept voluntary roles in managing the day-to-day affairs of these shelters. Finally, they should help in the adoption of animals at the shelter by pet-loving people.