ORIGIN: The Kochi-based Karuna Animal Rescue Ministering & Management Association came into being when . B.Pradipkumar, a die-hard animal lover, wanted to give a formal shape to the kind of activities that he has been pursuing for the past several years.
Christened as KARMMA, the organisation is run by an eleven-member governing council. Anyone with a sense of compassion for animals is welcome to be a member. Members are required to pay Rs.100 as monthly membership fee while a onetime admission fee is Rs.500. Campaigning for animal rights and creating awareness through dedicated work has always remained the primary focus of KARMMA. They are inspired and guided by the words of Mahatma Gandhi who said that ‘the greatness of a nation and their moral progress can be judged by the way their animals are treated”.
ACTIVITIES: Within a short span of six months, KARMMA rescued as many as 245 stray dogs that were either abandoned, critically injured or seriously sick from the streets of Kochi. In the process, several of those unfortunate animals got a fresh lease of life instead of meeting with a painful death. As an extension of their activities, KARMMA is looking forward to build and maintain kennels in the near future. All rescued dogs are given periodical vaccination, sterilisation and other medical care before sending them into temporary shelters in the city. Several KARMMA members have been accommodating rescued dogs in dozens.
Another activity undertaken by KARMMA is to promote rehabilitation of abandoned dogs through adoption. “Through consistent follow-up we could help more than two hundred puppies find new owners. Every day, we get several calls seeking adoption and we only proceed after a thorough screening of the would-be owners,” says a senior member of the organisation. Funds required for their activities are pooled by the members and there are people who volunteer to provide financial aid. However, it is the spirited unity of all the members that keeps fuelling their activities. KARMMA is also involved in conducting awareness programmes among school children.
IMPACT: Through frequent and exhaustive involvement, KARMMA could successfully create a feeling that dogs too deserve a dignified life. And people in the city have started to look at stray dogs with more concern. “There has been a good change in the attitude of people and all the members of KARMMA firmly believe in ‘be the way and be the change’,” says Pradipkumar, president of the organisation.
GETTING IN TOUCH: To know more about KARMMA and their animal friendly activities call 9447113600 (President) or 9447677677 (Secretary), Email: save@thekarmma.com. Website: >www.thekarmma.com .
