With the start of yet another academic year, most students will be encouraged to take up new resolutions as well as acquire new skills.
Animal rights group, Humane Society International – India, has urged students to resolve to adopt a compassionate attitude towards animals. For this, the group has shared a few animal-friendly tips for students.
Refrain from visiting places where animals are kept in cages and enclosures or used for entertainment, including circuses. Say no to festivals and temple ceremonies that continue to feature elephants.
Every year, millions of wild animals are inhumanely and often illegally captured either to be sold as pets or to be killed to make ornamental objects (ivory jewellery, reptile-skin purses), food products, exotic leather and fur. Don’t participate in the illegal wildlife trade.
If you want to bring a pet home, whether a puppy or a more mature dog, a pure-breed, hybrid or one-of-a-kind mixed breed dog, choose a shelter that will have the best selection of animals anywhere. Pledge not to buy from pet shops or any breeders. Choose to spend your weekends and holidays volunteering in an animal shelter. Animal shelters usually have many orphaned puppies, abandoned and distressed animals which yearn for human attention and company. You can just light up their day with a single visit. Get your communications trainer or art teacher to organise an art competition to promote the message of animal welfare. Organise a talk or presentation in your housing community.
