Rajani Subramanian has donated to charity, adopted rescued animals and inspired people to take pets with them while relocating — all this by the ripe old age of ten. The Chennai-born America-based kid insisted on a ‘no gifts' policy on her birthday last year and asked friends and family to contribute to a cat welfare programme instead. The funds were given to Chennai-based animal rescuer Minal Agarwal who used it to fund spay-neuter surgeries for homeless cats.
While visiting Minal's shelter, Rajani noticed a staggering grey kitten that she recalls as being ‘small and sickly'. Wobbly was in luck that day, as Rajani and her mother Ramya decided to foster her temporarily till her immunity increased and later couldn't bring themselves to give her back. Wobbly joined their other rescued cat Tipu Sultan on a flight from Chennai to New York when they returned to the States. “When they came out on the special cargo belt in JFK airport, they were complaining loudly but have settled quickly in their new homes,” says Ramya who is an animal welfare enthusiast herself, having adopted many shelter animals in the past.
Rajani reveals that her pets' quirks bring her great joy. “I always come down the stairs to the kitchen to eat breakfast, and see Tipu Sultan on his perch, meowing tunes like a musical cat. He's calm and slow-moving and tells us to just enjoy life. Wobbly has a lopsided walk and is clumsy, but will play with the tiniest speck in the house. When I lined up a tennis ball, a fake mouse and a stuffed animal, she turned around and started playing with a scrap of paper”. The ten-year-old signs off with some good advice for all of us — “Take your cat with you wherever you go, even if it is to the North Pole. Your pet is your child!”
(To adopt Minal Agarwal's rescued kittens, call 98412 36008)
HERO OF THE WEEK Shilpa nominates her mother Devika Krishnan who takes care of a few homeless dogs and a cat. They get fed everyday and are taken to the vet when they fall sick.
HOLD MY PAW Hi! My name is Snowy — my four siblings and I were found homeless without our mother. We are two months old, healthy, up to date with vaccinations and are looking for human parents who will take care of us for life. Call 90253 89033.
TAKE ME HOME Toby is a lovely 45-day-old male kitten who wants a loving home that will encourage his affectionate, playful nature. Call 98849 10575 for adoption.
TAKE ME HOME Rocky is a gregarious, perfectly healthy two-month-old Indian puppy who would like to be adopted by a nice family, preferably one that already has a dog since he loves company. Call 89394 49082 for details.
