Daya, Muvattupuzha
TARGET: To protect animals from cruelty, neglect and fight for their rights. It also aims to spread awareness that animals too deserve a dignified and better life.
ORIGIN: ‘Daya’, formed in 2001, is an animal welfare organisation of die-hard animal lovers in Muvattupuzha. Time and again Daya has helped many abandoned pet animals and also to those animals which have been subjected to cruelty.
Governed by a seven member committee, ‘Daya’ has about 45 members. Besides members and volunteers, it also ropes in the services of veterinary surgeons, lawyers and other professionals.
It boasts of a number of trained para-vets and professionally qualified animal handlers on its team. They are equipped to provide training and guidance.
The organisation is affiliated to the Animal Welfare Board of India and recently, in recognition of its services; the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) accorded membership to ‘Daya’.
ACTIVITIES: In more than a decade of its existence, ‘Daya’ has always upheld its motto of ‘Sympathy to Sufferings’ in the truest sense of the term. It was due to ‘Daya’s’ intervention that the cruel treatment meted out to cattle participating in the famed Kakkoor Kalavayal cattle race was regulated substantially. They have exposed unauthorised slaughter houses, vehemently protested and moved court against ill-treatment of elephants and also overcrowded transportation of cattle.
‘Daya’ lays stress on implementing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes. The Ernakulam Chapter of the Indian Veterinary Association, supports ‘Daya’ in conducting surgeries. It also organises awareness classes in schools, colleges and other public forums to promote compassion towards animals. In recognition of its admirable service, ‘Daya’ was chosen for the State Award for the best animal welfare organisation in 2011.
The organisation and its members dream of making Kerala a rabies-free State by 2020 and also to attain the same feat at Muvattupuzha by 2015. Their vision is driven by the slogan “Adopt an Indian dog, help us to make Kerala a rabies-free State”
IMPACT:Over the years ‘Daya’, through its innumerable interventions and activities, could secure plenty of accomplishments. “We could raise the level of awareness among the public in areas of animal welfare and this could, perhaps, be the most remarkable accomplishment,”observes Ambili
Purackal, coordinator and one of the founder members of ‘Daya’. She adds, “Today, anyone in Muvattupuzha has the sense and assertiveness to inform the police, if they find a truck overcrowded with slaughter cows”.
GETTING IN TOUCH: To know more about ‘Daya’call 9387411283 (Hon. President) or 9447921561 (Hon. Secretary), Email: dayamvpa@gmail.com
Keywords: Animal protection, Daya, animal welfare organisation, Kochi
