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Learn about straytise Terms & Conditions and how it deals with the information that it receives from its customers TERMS OF SERVICE Welcome to StrayTise’s Terms of Service We StrayTise , is a sole proprietorship and have the address at straytise@gmail.com (hereinafter referred to as “Firm” ) and are operating business under the brand name “StrayTise” (hereinafter referred to as “Brand Name” ). This Terms of Service (hereinafter referred to as “Terms of Service”) is our commitment towards your trust and we intend to facilitate Services (defined later) through our Website. This Terms of Service lays down all the terms and conditions surrounding the usage of our Website https:// www.StrayTise.com/ by You. The act of using, registering, or perusing our Website establishes a contractual agreement between the user and our organization, as outlined in our Terms of Service and other pertinent policies associated with our Website. This agreement serves all contractual, legal, and compliance purposes. The present Terms of Service hold legal validity and are regarded as an electronic record under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and its relevant regulations, as well as the revised provisions concerning electronic records in several statutes, as amended by the Information Technology Act, 2000. The computer system generates this electronic record, obviating the need for any physical or digital signature. 1. Definition and Interpretatio 1.1 Definition 1.1.1 Applicable Laws- pertains to all the legal provisions, regulations, statutes, ordinances, by-laws, and any subsequent amendments that are enforceable within the geographical boundaries of India. 1.1.2 Content- pertains to all the textual material, advertisements, graphics, User interfaces, visual interfaces, photographs, trademarks, logos, brand names, descriptions, sounds, music, and artwork. 1.1.3 Third Parties- pertains to all legal entities, whether individual or corporate, that are associated with the Website, with the exception of the Users and the Website's owners. 1.1.4 Services- pertains to all the provisions offered to the User through the Website. 1.1.5 User- refers to individuals who avail the services and experience offered by us. 1.2 Interpretation Firm – for the purposes of this Terms of Service, wherever the context so requires, “We”, “Our”, and “Us” shall mean and refer to the Firm and its owned Website. User- for the purposes of this Terms of Service, wherever the context so requires, “You”, “Your”, “Yourself” and “User”, shall mean and refer to natural and legal individuals who shall be users of this Website provided by Us and who is competent to enter into binding contracts, as per law. The headings of each section in these Terms of Service are only for the purpose of organizing the various provisions under these Terms of Service in an orderly manner and shall not be used by you to interpret the provisions contained herein in a manner as may apply to you. Further, it is specifically agreed by you that the headings shall not have legal or contractual value on your usage of the Website. The Parties shall refer and mean the Firm and User together, for the purpose of interpretation of terms of this Terms of Service. The use of this Website is solely governed by these Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any other relevant policies as updated on the Website and any modifications or amendments made thereto by us from time to time, at our sole discretion. If you as a User continue to access and use this Website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any other applicable policies, thereof. You expressly agree and acknowledge that these Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and any other applicable policies, are co-terminus in nature and that the expiry/termination of either one will lead to the termination of the other. You unequivocally agree that these Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any other applicable policies, constitute a legally binding agreement between us and that you shall be subject to the rules, guidelines, policies, terms, and conditions applicable to your use of the Website, and that the same shall be deemed to be incorporated into these Terms of Service and shall be treated as part and parcel of the same. You acknowledge and agree that no signature or express act is required to make these Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy binding on you and that your act of visiting/browsing any part of the Website constitutes your full and final acceptance of these Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any other applicable policies. We reserve the sole and exclusive right to amend or modify these Terms of Service without any prior permission or intimation to you, and you expressly agree that any such amendments or modifications shall come into effect immediately. If you do not adhere to the changes, you must stop using the Website at once. Your continued use of the Website will signify your acceptance of the changed Terms of Service. 2.About Us StrayTise is a dedicated website focused on stray / community animal management, covering a variety of animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, etc. The 'About Us' section aims to convey the mission and vision of the company, emphasizing its commitment to providing valuable information and guidance on managing stray animals. 3.Services on the Website The website functions as an informative platform, akin to a virtual handbook, drawing on 25+ years of experience in stray animal management. Users can access information and guidance on various aspects of stray animal care and control through the website. StrayTise primarily serves as an informative resource on stray animal management, offering guidance and advice for the care and control of stray dogs, cats, cattle, etc. Disclaimer: Certainly! Here's a disclaimer that covers your concerns: Disclaimer: The guidance provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is intended to offer general advice. Any actions taken based on this guidance are at the sole discretion of the individual. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice or services. It is essential to note that, regardless of the guidance or information provided on this website, users are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified professional for personalized treatment and further directional guidance. In the case of veterinary matters, it is recommended to seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian. The website does not assume responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of the information provided. Reliance on the content of this website is done at the user's own risk. Always consult with a professional before making decisions related to your health, the health of your pets, or any other significant aspects of your life. 4.C ompliance This Terms of Service is made in accordance with the provisions of the Information and Technology Act, 2000 and the rules therein along with the amendment from time to time. This Terms of Service is published on the Website in accordance with the provisions of Rule 3 (1) of the Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules, 2011 and Rule 4 of the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 of Information Technology Act, 2000 amended through Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008 that require publishing the Terms of Service and practices for access and usage of any functional Website. 5. Registration – Registration on the Website is mandatory for Users of the Website. The Users can register by providing the following information: Name Mobile Number Email ID Location The registration process allows for user authentication through one-time password (OTP) verification. You can link also register through your Facebook or Google Plus account. Please know that registration is not mandatory, you can avail the services without registration but it is recommended to go for registration. 6.Operations The Firm retains the prerogative to alter, suspend, or discontinue the Website or any of its components, including features and functionalities, without prior notification, at any given time. In the circumstance of any alteration, cessation, or conclusion, the aforementioned Termination Clause shall persist in its applicability. 7.Eligibility You represent and warrant that you are competent and eligible to enter into legally binding agreements and of competent age and that you have the requisite authority to bind yourself/themselves to these Terms of Service as per the Applicable Law. However, if you are a minor using this Website, you may do so with the consent of your legal guardian. All Acts of the minor shall be deemed to be considered as acts undertaken under the supervision of their legal guardian. You further represent that you will comply with these Terms of Service and all applicable local, state, national, and international laws, rules, and regulations. You shall not use the Website if you are not competent to enter into a contract or are disqualified from doing so by any other Applicable Laws, rules, or regulations, currently in force. 8.Payment Gateway Third party payment gateway application have been used as third-party payment gateway attached to this platform. The Customers shall be provided with payment-related information through the Platform. No payment-related information like, and not limited to, Credit Card numbers, Debit Card numbers, UPI IDs, Bank Account Details are stored or managed by the Platform and We do not hold any liability towards any liability arising herein. 9.Content All the Content displayed on the Website is subject to copyright and shall not be reused by You (or a Third-Party) without prior writt en consent from the Firm and the copyright owner. You are solely responsible for the integrity, authenticity, quality, and/or genuineness of the Content provided by you on the Website and whilst feedback and comments by You can be made via the Website, we bear no liability whatsoever for any feedback or comments made by the other Users or made in respect of any of the Content on the Website. Further, the Firm reserves its right to suspend the account of any User for an indefinite period to be decided at the discretion of the Firm or to terminate the account of any User who is found to have created or shared or submitted any Content or part thereof that is found to be untrue/ inaccurate/ misleading/ offensive/ vulgar. You shall be solely responsible for making good any financial or legal losses incurred through the creation/ sharing/ submission of Content or part thereof that is deemed to be untrue/ inaccurate/ misleading/ offensive/ vulgar. You have a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable, limited privilege to access the Content on the Website. You shall not copy, adapt, or modify any Content without written permission from the Firm. Also, some external links have been linked on the Website for suggestive contents. When a user clicks on that link, it will redirect them to the original site, to which we do not hold any responsibilities. 10.Indemnity The User consents to indemnify while preserving Us, along with our directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively referred to as "Parties"), from any losses, liabilities, claims, damages, demands, costs, and expenses (including legal fees and disbursements in connection therewith and interest chargeable thereon) that may be asserted against or incurred by Us due to a breach or non-performance of any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement made or obligation to be performed by the User according to these Terms of Service. Moreover, you consent to indemnify the Firm from any allegations brought forth by any external party as a result of, or in relation to, the following: The manner in which you utilize the Website; Your breach of the provisions outlined in these Terms of Service; Your infringement upon the rights of other Parties, Users, and/or Third-Party entities; Your purported inappropriate behavior in accordance with these Terms of Service; and Your actions in relation to the Website. The User consents to provide complete cooperation in the process of indemnifying the Firm, bearing the expenses themselves. It is also expected that you will refrain from reaching a settlement with any other party involved in the matter without obtaining prior consent from the Firm. The Firm shall not be held responsible for compensating the User or any third party for any damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or use that may result from the use of the Website's services or materials. This includes damages that may be considered special, incidental, indirect, consequential, or punitive, regardless of whether they were foreseeable or whether the User had been advised of the possibility of such damages. The Firm cannot be held liable based on any theory of liability, including breach of contract or warranty, negligence, or other tortuous action, or any other claim arising from the user's use of or access to the Website's services or materials. 10. Limitation of Liability We shall not be deemed responsible for any possible damages, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from the use of the services. Such damages may include any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, data, or other intangible losses, resulting from: the ability or inability to use the Website or services; unauthorized access or alteration of user data; the conduct or content of third parties on the Website; errors or omissions in the Website's content; interruptions or cessation of transmission to or from the Website; transmission of harmful code such as bugs, viruses, Trojan horses, or other malware. The limitation of liability is a legal provision that restricts the amount of damages that a party can be held liable for in the event of a breach of contract or other legal claims. It is a sole properitorship along with its officers, directors, employees, agents, or affiliates, cannot be held accountable for any damages, liabilities, costs, or losses that may arise from your utilization of our Website or services. This liability exemption applies regardless of whether the damages are based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory, and even if you were informed of the potential for such damages. 12.Termination Termination by User: Users can terminate their account created on our platform by using the account deletion process on the Website or by sending a “request for deletion” mail to straytise@gmail.com Termination by the Firm: The Firm reserves the right to terminate or suspend the user’s access to the Website, in whole or in part, without prior notice, for any reason including, but not limited to, violation of these terms and conditions or any applicable laws or regulations. In the event of termination by the Firm, users will no longer have access to the account and any data associated with it. Effect of Termination: Upon termination of your access to the Website, you agree to cease all use of the Website and any related services. The Firm shall have no obligation to retain any of your data stored in the Website and may delete such data upon termination. Reinstatement of Account: If your access to the Website has been terminated by either party, you may request reinstatement of your account by contacting the Firm. The Firm reserves the right to accept or reject such reinstatement request in its sole discretion. The Firm reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Website or any part thereof, including any features or functionalities, at any time without prior notice. In the event of such modification, suspension, or termination, this Termination Clause shall continue to apply. 13.Communication By using this Website and providing your identity and contact information to the Firm through the Website, you agree and consent to receive e-mails or SMS from us and/or any of its representatives at any time. You can report to “straytise@gmail.com ” if you find any discrepancy with regard to Website or Content-related information and we will take necessary action after an investigation. The response with resolution (if any issues found) shall be dependent on the time is taken for investigation. You expressly agree that notwithstanding anything contained hereinabove, it may be contacted by us relating to any services availed by you on the Website or anything pursuant thereto and you agree to indemnify us from any harassment claims. It is expressly agreed to by us that any information shared by us shall be governed by the Privacy Policy. 14.User obligations and formal undertakings to conduct You agree and acknowledge that you are a restricted user of this Website and you: agree to provide genuine credentials during the process whenever required on the Website. You shall not use a fictitious identity. We are not liable if you have provided incorrect information; agree that you shall be solely responsible for updating the correct information on the Website in the case that any information provided to the Website is changed or altered agree that you are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. We reserve the right to close your account at any time for any or no reason; understand and acknowledge that the data submitted is manually entered into the database of the Website. You also acknowledge the fact that data so entered into the database is for easy and ready reference for you, and to streamline the services through the Website; authorize the Website to use, store, or otherwise process certain personal information and all published Content, responses, locations, User comments, reviews and ratings for personalization of service, marketing and promotional purposes, and for optimization of User-related options and service; understand and agree that, to the fullest extent permissible by law, the Website or any of its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, representatives, operational service providers, advertisers or suppliers shall not be liable for any loss or damage, of any kind, direct or indirect, in connection with or arising from the use of the Website or this Terms of Service, including, but not limited to compensatory, consequential, incidental, indirect, special or punitive damages; are bound not to cut, copy, modify, recreate, reverse engineer, distribute, disseminate, post, publish or create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information obtained from the Website. Any such use/limited use of the Website will only be allowed with the prior express written permission; agree not to access (or attempt to access) the Website and/or the materials or Service by any means other than through the interface provided by the Website. The use of deep-link, robot, spider or other automatic devices, program, algorithm or methodology, or any similar or equivalent manual process, to access, acquire, copy or monitor any portion of the Website or its Content, or in any way reproduce or circumvent the navigational structure or presentation of the Website, materials or any Content, or to obtain or attempt to obtain any materials, documents or information through any means not specifically made available through the Website will lead to suspension or termination of your access to the Website. We disclaim any liabilities arising concerning such offensive Content on the Website. You further undertake not to: engage in any activity that interferes with or disrupts access to the Website or the Services provided therein (or the servers and networks which are connected to the Website); impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent his/her affiliation with a person or entity; probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Website or any network connected to the Website, nor breach the security or authentication measures on the Website or any network connected to the Website. The User may not reverse look-up, trace, or seek to trace any information relating to any other User of, or visitor to the Website, or any other viewer of the Website, including any User account maintained on the Website not operated/managed by the User, or exploit the Website or information made available or offered by or through the Website, in any manner; disrupt or interfere with the security of, or otherwise cause harm to the Website, systems resources, accounts, passwords, servers, or networks connected to or accessible through the Website or any affiliated or linked Website; use the Website or any material or Content therein for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Service, or to solicit the performance of any illegal activity or other activity which infringes the rights of this Website or any other Third-Party(ies); violate any code of conduct or guideline which may apply for or to any particular Service offered through the Website; violate any applicable laws, rules, or regulations currently in force within or outside India; violate any portion of these Terms of Service or the Privacy Policy, including but not limited to any applicable additional terms and conditions of the Website contained herein or elsewhere, whether made by amendment, modification or otherwise; commit any act that causes the Firm to lose (in whole or in part) the Services of its Internet Establishment ("ISP") or in any manner disrupts the Services of any other supplier/service provider of the Website; you hereby expressly authorize the Firm to disclose any and all information relating to you in our possession to law enforcement or other government officials, as we may in our sole discretion, believe necessary or appropriate in connection with the investigation and/or resolution of possible crimes, especially those involving personal injury and theft/infringement of intellectual property. You further understand that the Website might be directed to disclose any information (including the identity of persons providing information or materials on the Website) as necessary to satisfy any judicial order, Applicable Law, regulation or valid governmental request; you agree to use the Services provided by the Firm, our affiliates, consultants and contracted companies, for lawful purposes only; you agree to provide authentic and true information. We reserve the right to confirm and validate the information and other details provided by you at any point in time. If upon confirmation such details are found to be false, not to be true (wholly or partly), we shall in our sole discretion reject the service order and debar you from using the Website with out prior intimation whatsoever; you agree not to post any material on the Website that is defamatory, offensive, obscene, indecent, abusive, or needlessly distressful, or advertise any goods or Products. More specifically, you agree not to host, display, upload, update, publish, modify, transmit, or in any manner share any information that: belongs to another person and to which you have no right to; is grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, pedophilic, libellous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically objectionable, disparaging, relating or encouraging money laundering or gambling, or otherwise unlawful in any manner whatever; is in any way harmful to minors; infringes any patent, trademark, copyright or other proprietary rights; violates any Applicable Law for the time being in force; deceives or misleads the addressee about the origin of such messages or communicates any information which is grossly offensive or menacing; abuse, harass, threaten, defame, disillusion, erode, abrogate, demean or otherwise violate the legal rights of others; impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity; publish, post, disseminate, any grossly harmful information, harassing, blasphemous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, pedophilic, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically objectionable, disparaging, relating or encouraging money laundering or gambling, or otherwise unlawful in any manner whatever; or unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing including but not limited to "indecent representation of women" within the meaning of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; and threatens the unity, integrity, defense, security, or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or causes incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence or prevents investigation of any offence or is insulting any other nation. 15. Suspension of User access and activity Notwithstanding other legal remedies that may be available, we may in our sole discretion, deny access and/or activity by immediately removing your access credentials either temporarily or indefinitely, or suspend/terminate your association with the Website, and/or refusing to the usage of the Website, without being required to provide you with notice or cause: if you are in breach of any of these Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, or any other applicable policies; if you have provided wrong, inaccurate, incomplete or incorrect information; and if your actions may cause any harm, damage or loss to the other Users or the Firm, at our sole discretion. 16.Intellectual Property Rights The intellectual property rights, specifically the copyright and trademark, associated with the StrayTise are owned by sole proprietor. The usage of the name without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. Towards any third party/ intellectual property rights, we do not claim any responsibilities. Unless expressly agreed to in writing, nothing contained herein shall give you a right to use any of the trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos, domain names, information, questions, answers, solutions, reports, and other distinctive brand features, save according to the provisions of these Terms of Service that shall be available on the Website. All logos, trademarks, brand names, service marks, domain names, including material, designs, and graphics created by and developed by either the Website or such other Third-Party and other distinctive brand features of the Website are the property of the Website or the respective copyright or trademark owner. Furthermore, concerning the Website, we shall be the exclusive owner of all the designs, graphics and the like, related to the Website. You shall not use any of the Intellectual Property displayed on the Website in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among existing or prospective users of the Website, or that in any manner disparages or discredits the Website, to be determined in the sole discretion. You are aware all Intellectual Property, including but not limited to copyrights, relating to said Products and Services resides with the owners, and that at no point does any such Intellectual Property stand transferred from the creators. You are further aware that any reproduction or infringement of the Intellectual Property of the owners by you will result in legal action being initiated against you by the respective owners of the Intellectual Property so reproduced/infringed upon. It is agreed to by you that the Contents of this section shall survive even after the termination or expiry of these Terms of Service and/or Privacy Policy. 17.Disclaimer of Warranties and Liabilities You further agree and undertake that you are accessing the Website at your sole risk and that you are using the best and prudent judgment before availing of any features on the Website or accessing/using any information displayed thereon. You agree that any kind of information, resources, activities, or recommendations obtained/availed from the Website, written or oral, will not create any warranty and we disclaim all liabilities resulting from these. We do not guarantee that the features and content contained in the Website will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that the Website or its server will be free of viruses or other harmful components, and you hereby expressly accept any associated risks involved with your use of the Website. It is further agreed to by you that the contents of this section shall survive even after the termination or expiry of the Terms of Service and/or Privacy Policy. 18. Force Majeure We will not be liable for damages for any delay or failure to perform our obligations hereunder if such delay or failure is due to cause beyond our control or without its fault or negligence, due to force majeure events including but not limited to acts of war, acts of God, earthquake, riot, fire, festive activities sabotage, labour shortage or dispute, internet interruption, technical failure, breakage of sea cable, hacking, piracy, cheating, illegal or unauthorized. 19.Dispute Resolution and Jurisdiction In the event of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Terms of Service, including any dispute relating to the validity of this Terms of Service, the Parties shall, at first instance, attempt to resolve the dispute by mediation administered by the Centre for Online Resolution of Disputes (“CORD”) (www.resolveoncord.com ) and conducted in accordance with the CORD Rules of Mediation, by a sole mediator to be appointed by CORD. In the event the Parties are unable to resolve any such dispute through mediation within 90 days of the initiation of the dispute, subject to a contrary agreement between the Parties, the dispute shall be finally resolved by arbitration administered by CORD and conducted in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of CORD, by a sole arbitrator to be appointed by CORD. The language of arbitration shall be English. The seat of arbitration shall be Bangalore, India. You expressly agree that the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and any other agreements entered into between the Parties are governed by the laws, rules, and regulations of India. 20. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Entire Agreement: These Terms of Service, read with the Privacy Policy and Disclaimer form the complete and final contract between us with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other communications, representations, and agreements (whether oral, written, or otherwise) relating thereto. Waiver: The failure at any time to require the performance of any provision of these Terms of Service shall in no manner affect our right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by us of any breach of these Terms of Service, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of any other breach of these Terms of Service. Severability: If any provision/clause of these Terms of Service is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by any court or authority of competent jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions/clauses of these Terms of Service shall in no way be affected or impaired thereby, and each such provision/clause of these Terms of Service shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law. In such case, these Terms of Service shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to correct any invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, while preserving to the maximum extent the original rights, intentions and commercial expectations of the Parties hereto, as expressed herein. Contact Us: If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, the practices of the Website, or your experience, you can contact us by emailing us at straytise@gmail.com

Read more LAW & ORDER https://awbi.gov.in/view/index/colony-animal-care-taker https://www.freelaw.in/legalarticles/Laws-to-protect-stray-animals-in-India#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20stray,by%20reason%20of%20starvation%20thirst%E2%80%9D. https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/10-laws-rights-to-protect-stray-animals-in-india-that-every-animal-lover-should-be-aware-of/ https://www.iitk.ac.in/animalwelfare/data/Animal-Protection-Law-Summary-by-AWBI.pdf https://awbi.gov.in/Document/rules https://mygate.com/blog/housing-society/apartment-pet-owner-rights/ https://www.fiapo.org/fiaporg/news/2-booked-for-dislocating-stray-dogs-did-you-know-it-is-illegal/ Every “experience” is but a “guideline” to “build your own around it”. Read more READING PLEASURE https://bombatdawgz.wordpress.com/ https://vosd.in/ https://www.spcai.org/ https://www.petaindia.com/ https://dogwithblog.in/bangalore-animal-helpline/ Read more CARETAKER BEST PRACTICES “Accountability & responsibility is a trying virtue unless distributed periodically among others, if not evenly. “ 1.Differentiate between emergencies, cases that can wait & cases that need your personal attention or the ones that can be delegated. 2.Make people accountable as opposed to being that enthusiastic student raising a hand all the time when asked a question. Others may know the answer but might just opt to remain silent. Don't be an enthusiastic caretaker. Remember, experience means showing the way, not walking the path for someone else. 3.Collective excellence is achieved only in pockets, so here's how you go about it - •Identify feeders in your area. You may not want to be part of a large group but can always form your own to create better reach. •Build a network of rescuers and caretakers in likeminded people. They could be a mixed group of garages, bakeries, bbmp workers, tea stalls, road vendors, shops / stores, factories, etc. You’d be surprised how handy this network will be when you’re looking for lost dogs or want to facilitate a sterilization drive. •Pass on knowledge, its valuable! •Guide them when they call you for help. You'd be surprised how many of your rescues can be managed remotely Just like majority of the cases can be spot treated and not every incident needs admission. In my experience. 65% of the cases can be spot treated. Yes, it takes huge effort, determination and discipline however there are several bright sides to it. It’s economical, we continue to expand our knowledge, people watch what you’re doing, ask questions and then get involved and some follow suit with your help. •Keep a list of all your rescues and follow up regularly for updates or visit them when you have time. •Teach people what and what not to feed. Educate people to leave water outside their homes and stores. •Encourage them to pick up an animal in distress while guiding them over a video call. Key guidance techniques will involve noosing the dog, carrying, transportation, admission and fund raising. Prepare them on the responsibility they are singing up for. Explain the impact they are creating. Note: This may not work for all cases so situational discretion is recommended. •Work with your vets to facilitate a community animal discount for them so they are encouraged to help the next animal. •It's ok to ask reporters to pay the vets for rescues they bring to you for help. One can make a larger impact only when there is balance in the operation. •Most importantly, be patient. What seems like a small thing for a seasoned caretaker might be a sea of information for an aspiring caretaker so no matter how small a question us or how many times you’re being asked, respond patiently. Read more RECOMMENDED RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR COLONY ANIMAL CARETAKERS 1.Tipping over from compassion to compassion fatigue is very easy when you carry an extremely warm heart. Be cognizant always and never allow yourself to become a compassionately blind person. Compassion becomes obsession over time when it lacks structure. The irony is one won’t realize when and where the line gets blurred. Example: Spend wisely. Biscuits as opposed to pedigree for stray / community animals is not partiality. Periodic treats as opposed to daily rice, milk, eggs and bread is not bias. Skipping a routine if you’re sick & if you don’t have anyone to back you up is not selfishness. You’d rather recover & help at 2X than getting hospitalized & leaving them unattended for a longer period. Be cognizant of your limitations, if you go down, they all go down with you. 2.Do not take responsibility if you cannot fulfill it. As an example, travelling from one corner of the city, picking up / helping an animal, domesticating him/her for a while , getting that stomach used to timely and good feeding, only to drop them back to the base location when you’re unable to cope with the responsibility is unintentional cruelty . You’d rather couch-pray. Always double check if your action may unintentionally cause disservice to the animal, always! 3.Interact respectfully. Canines are a part of our society & social circle. Do not interfere in their space when not needed. Example, if there is a dog fight, call out once or twice & superficial scaring with water will help. Don’t get into the middle of it. You’re not a dog. You don’t have incisors. When feeding, if the timid ones don’t eat or the powerful ones dominate, leave them be. They are survivors. They have mastered that art after being on the streets for very long time. They will find harmony. They will find their “tribe”. I would recommend the same with domestic canines as well. Respect each other’s space. 4.Program your mind, stay tuned to calmness. Dogs are extremely sensitive to human feelings & moods. When you approach them be in a happy or neutral state of mind. You will receive what you give. 5.Understand their language & body signals. Don’t shower love or attention when it is not needed and then blame the dog if they snap. They are just like us. We snap when we want space and don’t have the luxury of it. They jaw-snap. Simple. 6.It takes many types to make this world, accept it and move on. Others around you will support, learn and appreciate. Your objective & that group of people are your reason to be who you are. 7.Participate responsibly. Many feeders litter the place in the name of help. Many unintentionally cause commotion in the name of love. Your neighbors have the right to complain. They have the right to give you feedback. Revisit your methods. Align and keep going forward. Because if you don’t you will get arm twisted into stopping your activities and the ones you’re helping will suffer. 8.Stop using the word “owners”, drive Guardianship or pet-parenthood. Our brain is an amazing processing unit & has always left me in awe. We believe what we see. What is not seen, our brains reject the acceptance of its existence. (Belief system is another line of discussion though). Ever heard of the term “auto suggestion?” Our minds believe what we keep saying. When the mind believes, it executes, that’s why we have so many motivational speakers talk about the “power & vibration of words”. When you hear someone using the term “owner” while describing a human-canine relationship, feel comfortable to politely correct them. We own assets, not lives or relationships. We never say “I own a father, a mother, spouse and 3 children”, do we? 9.Never complain or crib that people around are not supportive emotionally or monetarily. Don’t hate humans – YOUR OWN RACE. This is YOUR choice. YOU chose to be a part of those animal lives because helping & supporting made YOU happy. The animal didn’t “ask for it”. Humans around you didn’t “push you to take responsibility”. Nobody is obligated to help you. Don’t expect. If help comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, with all due respect find a way to fulfill the responsibility. Respect opinions & don’t try to convince them with yours. It is alright for some people to feel scared, allergic or distanced from animals. It’s absolutely possible for a non-vegetarian to be a compassionate person. Don’t correlate the two & call them fake. They are going through the journey of joining the dots to get to where you are. Be patient & express personal views only WHEN ASKED. Don’t hate the human race, it’s alright to dislike traits but hating someone is another extreme. Speaking of extremes, animal abusers don’t fall in either. 10.Last & certainly not the least TAKE A BREAK FROM THAT ROUTINE ONCE IN A WHILE. If you fall short of love for yourself, you won’t have any left to share. Read more PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION FOR CARETAKERS 1.Adopt an inclusive approach as much as possible. Creating awareness doesn't come easy. Spread the word around your neighborhood, law & order officials and local authorities about what and why you do for community animals. Carry a copy of 51A (g) stray / community animal protection law copy with you so they understand you're performing duties as ruled by the supreme Court. Request support. 2.Once in a while, during festivals, engage with the neighborhood and others with some sweets etc to express your gratitude. 3.Enlarge the constitutional rights of strays 51A (g) , laminate and put it up on your gate (If you live in an independent house OR make a sticker and put it up on your vehicle) so people can read. 4.When questioned or facing objection, explain that you're a responsible feeder and citizen. You not only feed but take care of sterilization, vaccination and you're performing duties as ordered by the law. While they aren't obligated to support, their interference will be considered as breach of law 5.Emphasize on the importance of ABC / AR programs. Explain the ripple effects of your compassion. 6.Make alliances with supporters in the vicinity so you're not alone and you can spread more awareness. 7.Explore options to change the feeding spot. Instead of leaving a bowl, will feeding in a secluded place help? 8.Agree on a designated feeding area and time slot. Encourage others to leave left over food in the same spot. (while highlighting what can and cannot be fed) 9.If cost and bandwidth permits, print a small leaflet on stray animal laws and distribute in your locality Read more COMMUNITY DOG / ABANDONED DOG INTEGRATION GUIDE It is illegal to relocate stray / community animals under Section 11(1) (i) and Section 11(1) (j), PCA Act, 1960. In some cases, a community dogs may stray from another area owing to dog fights, human threats, fireworks / crackers, during mating season or while following a caretaker. Other instances may be abandonment of a domestic pet into a new area. In some cases, a bunch of puppies or adult dogs may also be illegally relocated to a different area. This section talks about some tips to deal with these scenarios. Community dog straying: Initial reaction of the territory group will be curiosity followed by mild aggression amongst them. Let them sort it out. If the fight goes out of control and a particular dog / s is getting hurt then intervene by throwing some water. Do not walk into the fight or try to break it in another fashion by pelting stones, using sticks or trying to pull them apart. Relocation: the dog will stay or stray away to another area. In the event the dog stays, Integration is key. Integration means facilitating familiarity among dogs. Feed them together. Make the alpha male or female feel reassured and comfortable by feeding them first. This is a way to let them know their territory isn't under threat. If there are fights, call out names and break the fights or use water to diffuse the situation. Eventually the new dog will acclimatize in a group that's in line with his / her personality. Remember to sterilize & vaccinate the dog if not done already. The process of settling down will take a month tops. You will witness intermittent unrest until then. The frequency will taper down eventually. They will learn to coexist and mind their own business in their respective spots. If you notice the new dog being bullied or cornered too often, corrective behavioral approach is recommended such as assertive NO’s and DON’T’s. Hand signaling. Gentle reminders every now and then. Trust me, the more you speak with animals, the more they understand and align. If one of your community animals have been illegally relocated: If you know who did it, first step is to talk to that person, find out the reason and get the location. This is going to be a huge effort and results are not guaranteed. It will warrant a constant and consistent hunt to locate the dog if you have been given the location. Once you have located the dog (let’s hope you always do!), find out about the surroundings. See if there is a local caretaker who has taken a liking to the dog and is willing to passive or active adopt. Work with the new caretaker to integrate the dog and ensure he/ she is well settled. If not sterilized, organize that as soon as possible. If the option above is not a possibility, try to talk to the one who relocated the dog and explain the legal consequences and that the dog has been found and will return to the vicinity. At this stage, you are going to need legal intervention in the interest of the dog, yourself, the person who relocated the dog and the other animals under your care. Abandoned dogs - secure the dog. Take for a vet inspection. (For a physical and medical examination) Look for a home. Board / foster if affordable, else sterilize, vaccinate and integrate. If you’re ready to adopt or find a potential home, that’s a great option. (Additional details available in FAQ section) Read more FINDING LOST COMMUNITY DOGS / CATS AND DOMESTIC PETS 1.Continue to visit the usual spot during different hours of the day / evening/ night. While looking call by name Or make sounds / call out by name the animal is used to. 2.Look around a 2.5-3 km radius 3.Leave the animals pic and your phone number with local shops keepers who are stray / community animal supporters 4.Of course widely spread the message across groups 5.Check other Bakeries, meat shops, super markets, restaurants, road side vendors, spots where there are water bowls, garages 6.Check locations where they usually hang out with other dogs, sometimes they change spots while playing and take longer to return 7.If unsterilized, widen your radius 8. Check as my CC TV’s as possible 9.I hate saying this but it needs to be - look inside deep bushes, drains, unused sheds, under vehicles 10.Contact local ngos and hospitals to check if the animal has been admitted 11.Contact your local bbmp abc center to see if the animal has been picked up for sterilization 11.Track down unlicensed breeders and check Read more WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO WALK DOMESTIC DOGS ON LEASH! As a caretaker of stray / community animals and a domestic pet parent, I'll share views from both sides of the fence and this is something I keep reiterating to everyone who walk their dogs without a leash , I understand the leash-free time dogs need from an exercise standpoint however that should be encouraged in designated, fenced and permitted places 1.All animals carry 'Animal Instincts ". That's how they're wired psychologically. While off a leash in a public area that also has access to other humans and animals, there is always a possibility of something distracting the animal and he/she taking off in that direction which in turn could expose the animal to face traffic & other animals, untrained. 2.Dogs are territorial. Strays view the streets as their home & they may view a new entrant as an intruder which could lead to your domestic pet and a group of strays breaking into a fight. 3.This will result in societal chaos, an injured domestic pet and a label on strays for being aggressive while they were merely protecting their territory 4.Your dog could pick up the scent of other animals from a human walking past you and end up snapping. 5.Your dog could approach an animal - unfriendly human just to sniff, they could react out of fear which might set your dog off and by the end of the episode, we have a labelled dog, a fuming pet parent and an animal-hating human. 6.You will lack control over what your dog might end up chewing or sniffing which may result in physical issues 7.If unsterilized, you dog could end up mating with another streetie / colony animal. 8.The dog may encounter a feeder, find food, approach it purely based on " Dog instincts " Which will tick the strays off & their "survival instincts" Will Kick in. 9.Your dog could end up snapping at you when you try to correct behavior as necessary when off the leash. That would simply be the dogs’ reflexes but would cause interim trauma in both your minds. 10.Hence, always please pick a place that is designated for leash free time. Dog spas. Dog resorts / hotels. Dog parks. Most importantly assess the psychological make up of your dog, understand how he/she would like the privacy to be addressed and then device a plan whether or not to encourage leash free interaction. Read more WORKING WITH COMMUNITY DOGS CARETAKERS / RESCUERS 1.Once the animal is spotted, stay around to ensure you’re available once the rescuer arrives. 2.If you’re passing by and need to be somewhere, coordinate with local stores and ensure their details are shared with the rescuers. 3.Provide water to the animal. 4.Dab little water on the head to ease out the trauma. 5.Keep crowd away, allow enough air circulation. 6.Do not move the animal in case of hit and run OR if you’re not a hands on rescuer. 7.If you’re familiar with noosing / rescue muzzling, ensure you do that before extending physical help. Remember, this is important because the animal is in shock, trauma and pain so snapping is natural just as humans would too when in pain. 8.Always share a location, pictures and videos with rescuers or whoever you are coordinating with for help so they come prepared or can guide you on first aid until they arrive. 9.Ensure you take the rescuers details so you can follow up on the progress. 10.If you live in the vicinity where the case was picked up, ensure you are available when the animal is dropped back / released. This will provide a sense of assurance to the animal. 11.If you are responsible for post release care – •12.Administer the prescribed medicine. •13.Keep an eye on progress and pass along updates to the rescuer. •14.Help and contribute in whatever way you can to the rescuer. Read more ADMINISTERING MEDICINES AKA SPOT TREATMENT (AS PRESCRIBED) TO COMMUNITY ANIMALS. 1.Crush the pill OR empty the capsule OR syrup as per the prescribed quantity. 2.Roll it up in a slice of cheese, boiled meat, egg or wet pedigree. Each dog’s taste is different so you’ll need to work through figuring it out. Wet pedigree has worked for me most times. 3.Give it separately, do not mix with food as the dog might not consume it and the medicine will go waste or another dog might end up eating it. 4.Wait until the dog finishes the medicine. 5.Leave some water behind. 6.For external application, always ensure the dog is muzzled unless you’re comfortable without it. Always use gloves as well. 7.Dogs do not like the sound of spray cans so almost all the time, you’ll see them running away. If that is the case, talk to your vet about alternatives. 8.Always click pictures to compare progress before and after the treatment. 9.Spot treatment is an effective and economical method to treat cases that need help. Almost 60% of them can be spot treated however it takes effort, commitment and dedication. 10.At times you may not find the dog in the same spot at the same time. Keep checking in different slots and you will eventually find the dog. 11.Identify the dogs different spots and make note so you can check there too. 12.Always administer medication ONLY under professional advice and guidance. Read more EDUCATING CHILDREN ON HOW TO INTERACT WITH COMMUNITY / DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Like humans, dogs like their privacy and do not welcome unwanted petting. It is important to assess their mood, circumstance and body language before approaching. Most importantly, don’t let your children hang around a dogs neck, pull their body parts, open their jaw, dig into their ears, roll over them or ride them like a wooden horse! We need to treat them the way we would like to be treated. 1.We talk, they bark. 2.We walk on 2 legs, they on 4. 3.Anatomically we aren’t very different. 4.We express with our tone and words when upset and they with their jaws. 5.All of the above is applicable to DOMESTIC PETS as well 6.Teach your children – •NOT to pelt stones, throw water on them, tease or run towards them, catching them off guard and giving them an impression that they are under threat. •NOT to feed food in their mouths, just leave it around and walk away. •NEVER to go near a lactating mother or try to pick her puppies. She WILL GET UPSET & RIGHTFULLY SO! •NOT to bring home puppies just because they look cute. •TO be kind, respect their privacy and address them by their name (if they have one) •TO feed only under adult supervision. •TO report accidents or injuries to you so you can get help. 7. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN THAT – •The street is their home. •Stray animals are known as colony / community animals. •The Indian law recognizes community animals as citizens of India. They are here to stay and so are the large animals. •For humans and animals to coexist, kindness , understanding and awareness is key. Read more EFFECT OF YOUR DECIBEL LEVELS ON COMMUNITY ANIMALS (ALL ANIMALS) AND HOW TO BEFRIEND THEM “Society evolves not by shouting each other down but by the unique capacity of unique individual beings to comprehend each other” – Lewis Thomas. 1.Don’t scream. It could intensify the situation. It will get the animal more stressed or increase the energy level, anxiety and excitement of the situation. 2.Dogs / animals are highly in tune with their own energies, surroundings and our energies. If they sense you are angry, frustrated or upset they will be less responsive. 3.Approach and befriend in a calm way. 4.Offer treats. 5.Let the dog sniff you and get comfortable. 6.Stand sideways to the dog. Don’t hover over the head or approach from behind. Don’t charge towards the dog either. Just stay calm. Don’t directly reach towards the head to pat. 7.As an extension of the above, don’t approach other domestic pets as well without the pet parents’ permission. You view it as a friendly and compassionate gesture; the animal will view that as intrusion. It is always polite to ask permission of the animal and human. 8.Gain trust. Avoid large objects, bags, ropes etc while approaching. 9.Give the dog / animal time to warm up. Do not rush anything. Walk away and return another time. 10.Specially with community animals, they are highly alert and suspicious of their surroundings owing to mixed experiences on the street. 11.Strong human-animal relationships are built on stability and respect. Read more NOT ALL DROOLS MEAN RABIES! Let’s first understand what is drooling. Drool or as it is known in the medical field, ptyalism, is an excessive flow of saliva that has accumulated in the mouth or oral cavity. It could be mouth ulcers or caused by facial skin folds. (The natural folds of excess skin on some dog breeds may cause irritation that result in drooling or occasional mouth ulcers) •It could be anxiety. •Unfamiliar territory. •A drive. •An unwelcome visitor. •Unfamiliar form of play. •Fatigue. •Food temptations. •Fear •An object causing obstruction in the throat. •Just another big breed drooling! Before jumping the guns, observe the dog, then consult a professional. Read more COMMON AILMENTS AND BASIC HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY DOGS Here’s a list of some common ailments in community dogs. While these are applicable to domestic pets as well, the likelihood, frequency and reoccurrence in community dogs are higher owing to their exposure level, so to speak. •Common ailments •Rabies •Ticks and fleas •Insect bites •Vomiting •Diarrhea •Fight injuries •Abuse injuries •Acidity •Indigestion •Skin issues •Maggot infested open and deep wounds •Eye infections •Kennel cough / bronchitis •Distemper •Tick fever •Parvo •Fever •Running nose •Limping owing to injuries, fights or a little stone or thorn that has gone into the paw •Cancerous growth For symptom identification or treatment please consult a vet. Administer medicines only under guidance and advice. While these cannot be averted, basic healthcare management will help dogs lead an overall healthy lifestyle. That can be achieved through a good diet and other things such as: •Regular vaccinations •6 monthly deworming •Spraying tick / flee powders •Providing a canine friendly diet. •Providing enough access to water. Ensure to AVOID – Salt, deep friend items, sugar, tamarind, spices, chocolates, nuts, onion, garlic. A lot of people unintentionally, in the name of compassion, feed left overs that are hazardous to their health. The first indication of that will be deteriorating fur, followed by skin infections and other digestive issues which could turn fatal. If you’re unable to feed a wholesome meal, stick to dry food. If that isn’t an option either, try curd rice. But please do avoid food that isn’t canine edible. A good diet (options) would be- rice, boiled meat, eggs, safe bones, turmeric, a little coconut oil, dry food (be mindful to leave water behind always while feeding dry food). As a closing note, here’s a friendly reminder to be a responsible feeder! Clean up after feeding. •Leave enough water. •Don’t throw wrappers around. •If someone objects feeding around their house, change the spot. •Always ask permission from the store / home owner if you’re feeding right in front of their house. It’s basic civility and you’d be surprised on its effects in the long haul. Be a responsible caretaker! Feeding alone doesn't cut it. It is the caretaker’s responsibility to ensure the dog is sterilized, vaccinated and attended to should there be a medical need. You need not be a hands on rescuer but as a caretaker, you will be the "go to" person for the dog’s needs. Happy feeding! Happy care taking! Dog / God Bless ya! May your tribe grow! Read more DOS AND DON’TS WITH ADOPTED DOGS / CATS Adopting a dog / cat is a lifetime commitment. They become a part of your family & get as involved in your day to day lives as any other family member. Before bringing an animal home, be 100% sure of your decision. Do not enter into a commitment in an experimental fashion or out of enthusiasm, influence or pressure. 1.Ensure all family members are in agreement & understand the responsibility that comes with this decision 2.Ensure your lifestyle as a family aligns with the breed type you adopt. Be it a pedigree breed or Indian breed. In effect that means, weigh in all your options. Your work schedule, travel frequency, holiday plans, age groups at home, any specific allergies someone might have at home, space availability, support system, financial status & most importantly activity level. 3.Talk to your children about their responsibility. If you have young children, explain to them how to behave with the animal. Playful teasing, intrusion in their space, grabbing their food or water bowl, toys is an absolute no no. Educate them about mutual respect & that they should treat the animal the way they would like to be treated. 4.Talk to your domestic help about a new family member coming home. 5.If you're a first time pet parent, a calm, homely ( more indoor type), small to medium sized breed / animal is recommended. 6.If you're familiar with living with an animal, you know the drill however do asses the above criteria before bringing another animal home. 7.Ensure you DO NOT bring large breeds home UNLESS you're extremely well versed in understanding, handling & living with them. Consult with professional, expereinced big breed behavioral trainers before bringing home a BIG BREED. 8.Ensure you spend enough time with the animal before adoption. Understanding each other's lifestyle, temperament and personalities is very important. 9.Talk to a vet before adoption to gain insight on a recommended diet, healthcare management, dental management , hygiene , regular vet visits & daily walks. 10.Identify a good harness & leash. Ensure the size is correct. 11.Talk to your vet about basic ailments and how to administer first aid at home. Learn how to identify symptoms so you can act on time. 12.Ensure you're well prepared to welcome your animal companion home by keeping their space, bedding, water and food bowl, toys etc ready. 13.Ensure their chipped or their collar carries a name tag & your contact information 14.Keep numbers handy. Vets, pet cab services, pet ambulance services, behavioural trainers, nutritionist, pet sitters, trustworthy local pet boarders, pet shops and a local rescuer / feeder. 15.Ensure they get enough outdoor time. If you're living in an apartment & have a balcony, make the place pet-safe first & given them as much sunlight, breeze & outdoor view as possible. A healthy mind is a happy animal! 16.If you're adopting a puppy, ensure your floors are always clean. Be prepared for some chewed / torn socks, furniture, wires etc. It's called the teething phase just like human children 17.Do not chain your animal always. Only chain Or lock in a safe place when necessary. 18.Be a responsible pet parent. Clean up after the animal. Always keep them on leash while outdoors. Train them well so they're friendly. Be watchful during walks so they don't consume anything hazardous. Vaccinate them on time. Sterilise them when they're ready ( 6 months & above). Ensure they are bathed regularly. Clean their ears & trim their nails ( take the help of a vet if you're not comfortable) regularly. Brush their teeth regularly. Lastly - ADOPT, DON'T SHOP! Happy pet parenting! Read more "TRANSIENT" COMMUNITY ANIMALS - WIP Read more FORMS & TEMPLATES https://www.jotform.com/animal-shelter/templates/ Read more ADOPTION QUESTIONAIRRE Name: Age: Occupation: Address: Contact No.: Who are the other people you live with- their details: Approx. duration of staying away from home daily: 1) Have you ever owned dogs before? 2) Do you currently have any pets at home? 3) Who are the other people you live with- parents/spouse/flatmates, etc? Have you discussed the idea of bringing in the dog with them?- 4) What all are you willing to feed the dog? 5) Do you currently live in a rented or owned space? Would you like to take the doggo with you when you move, or prefer that she/he stays back? 6) How many doggos are you interested in right now?- 7) Would you be willing to have your house checked in advance of adopting a doggo? 8) Do you or anyone else at home have an allergy to animal hair?- 9) What are your thoughts on Spaying/Neutering? 10) where would you be keeping the dog in general everyday? And where would you be keeping the dog when you travel on a vacation? 11) Are you ok to financially take care of the pet - medical expenses? 12)A dog is a responsibility for the next 20 years. This means your dog will be with you through all stages of life – career change, location change, house change, marriage - are you up for it? 13)What happens if you are relocated out of Bangalore for work/studies or any other reason? Read more BLOOD DONATION QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Species of recipient animal: Dog/ cat/ other 2. Age and health problem of recipient. 3. How much blood is needed? 4. Criteria of donor animal. 5. Location -- area and hospital name. 6. Whether the blood can be picked up from the donor's location -- this avoids transporting the donor all over town. 7. If the answer to #6 is no: If the donor dog is friendly, is the pet parent willing to transport the donor animal to the hospital, draw the blood, and send him / her back? Finally, the name and contact of the pet parent or coordinator.

STAY TUNED! STAY TUNED! STAY TUNED!

Read more WHO IS A STRAY ANIMAL? In common law, if any domestic (or wild or community) animal/s is found “wandering” or is “lost”, the animal is termed as “stray”. Stray dogs in India are identified as “colony / community animals” as the “street” is their “home” so the term “stray” doesn’t define “community animals”. Read more WHAT IS ANIMAL WELFARE? The overall “well-being” of an animal such as health, vaccination, harmonious environment, sterilization, disease management, injury management, cruelty management etc is termed as Animal welfare. Read more WHO IS ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA? Please refer to link : https://www.strawindia.org/blogs/12/stray-dogs-are-a-social-responsibility-a-perspective.aspx Read more EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABC / AR (ANIMAL BIRTH CONTROL & ANTI RABIES) PROGRAMS RUN BY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES https://site.bbmp.gov.in/departmentwebsites/Animal%20Husbandry/ Read more TAKE ALL THESE DOGS HOME & FEED THEM OR PUT THEM ALL AWAY IN A “SHELTER” BECAUSE FEEDING COMMUNITY ANIMALS IS SUCH A WASTE OF TIME & RESOURCES! Animals are BEING FED AT HOME, which is THE STREET, THEIR HOME so nobody is breaking the law. If our law and order thought the act of compassion or tending to community animals was incorrect or irrelevant, they wouldn’t have spent years in defining constituencies and sections to not only protect a community animals’ rights as citizens of India but to also protect the rights of those who follow that law. Let’s start with the fundamentals and move to numbers. Tending to community animals, which starts with feeding, is the first step towards a trust building exercise. One may ask why trust needs to be built. Because we are meant to coexist. Because tending to them is far beyond compassion, kindness and good karma. In order to coexist harmoniously, a friendly relationship between the human and animal is imperative. Only such an equation can lead to effective and consistent sterilization, vaccination and healthcare management. To feed your curiosity, as per 2019 census, total population of stray / community dog and stray / community cattle in the country was 203.31 lakh and 91 lakh stray / community cats. While just top 3 animals were listed in this survey, we also live with community horses, pigs, donkeys, birds etc which are NOT included in “this” overall count of 294.31 lakh. Let’s pick cattle as an example. India is a home to 5000 gaushalas (A shelter house for cattle). How many of these lakhs and lakhs of cattle do we think are homed in these 5000 cattle shelters? How many do we think end up in slaughter houses because of inadequate care because some people think tending is a “waste of time and resources?” How many do we think are roaming on the streets? How do you think they survive? Greenery of course (which is seasonal), but mostly on vegetable waste from societies, stores and caretakers. During lockdown, not just community cattle but even the ones at shelter homes were dependent on this waste as transportation of their regular food supplies came to a halt. There were volunteers who would go around gathering this vegetable waste and feed cattle in designated spots, just like they fed dogs, cats and other species. What was the result? We did not find dead animals lying on the road, unattended to and rotting, potentially making way for another pandemic. We did not find aggressive animals on the road waiting to charge at the next person owing to starvation and frustration. (Exceptions are being left out as they don’t make examples). Hence taking them all away to a shelter house or to one persons’ house is not only an impractical suggestion but also unimaginable considering the exponential grown of India’s population & how lands are being taken over to accommodate our race. So what is the next possible solution? CO-EXISTENCE. While we live in our homes, they live on the streets and we owe it to our animals to protect them the way nature owes it to us. While there are some hiccups that exist here and there, our society of “human beings” largely believe that community animals keep our homes and streets safe. They, in many ways, teach us deeper values of life. Additionally, with time, we can find many ways to train and utilize their skills for several tasks. The issues that exist will continue to look magnified until we, as a society, come together and “accept” that coexistence is the only way forward. NOT MASS KILLING or RELOCATING to starve them to death. Speaking of magnified, a chest pain caused by acidity will feel like a heart attack until we dive deeper into the issue, gather information & become AWARE with the help of an expert. Once we know that it was acidity that caused it all, the discomfort disappears like magic! That’s the power of the mind! It can either make you sideline something completely or magnify a dot Maybe all the hearsay and headlines have caused such havoc in many minds. Maybe we didn’t spend enough time to understand the subject. Maybe we, as a society focused too much on the 2% of issues that the 98% of happy stories were never heard of? Maybe the adrenaline rush that terror stories gave us kept the buzz going? Maybe fear, anger and violence were a better option than patience, involvement & contribution? Just pause for a minute and process this. Read more DON'T FEED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE Fair point. Agree on a designated area in this vicinity and feed the community animals there. There is no point in taking them to the adjacent street or to an unfamiliar territory just to feed as it will cause chaos among other dogs in that vicinity. Community dogs need to stay, live, thrive and be fed in their respective localities. Additionally, BBMP and our law & order have strict guidelines in place on takeing care of community animals. As a group, one can request mediation and amicably resolve gaps. Read more YOU’RE LITTERING THE PLACE WHILE FEEDING! All caretakers need to ensure the left over plates, bowls, papers or wrappers are taken away and discarded as per waste management guidelines. Let’s be mindful as well while describing the word “littering” . Cooperation & involvement is a two way street. Read more THERE ARE TOO MANY DOGS ON MY STREET. I WANT TO RELOCATE THEM. It is illegal to relocate stray / community animals under Section 11(1) (i) and Section 11(1) (j), PCA Act, 1960. Also, as per the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, dogs cannot be relocated or removed from their territory. It is best to work with the local authorities to get them sterilized, vaccinated and bring them back to their “home” which is the street they belong to. It is also recommended to work with your community animal caretakers to find win-win solutions. Read more MY RESIDENTS DON'T LIKE ME FEEDING DOGS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Any cruelty towards strays is illegal under the 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It is also a punishable offence under Section 428 and 429 of the Indian penal code. No resident can be barred from feeding stray (community) dogs/cats in the locality. Not allowing feed is another form of cruelty. The Supreme Court of India has okayed the feeding of stray / community dogs. The Article 51A (g) of the Constitution of India has placed a duty on the citizens to protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for all living creatures. Attempt a dialogue. Find an amicable solution. Agree on designated feeding areas and time slots. Be a responsible feeder. Clean up after feeding. Facilitate vaccination and sterilization drives for the community animals you feed. Your responsibility as a caretaker doesn’t end with feeding alone. It also includes sterilization, vaccination and healthcare management. Print a copy of article 51A (g) and distribute in your community. Awareness is key! Read more SPEAKING OF BEING A RESPONSIBLE FEEDER / CARETAKER, BE MINDFUL OF – Behavior corrections with the community animals you feed. Dogs can tend to be protective of their caretakers and at times demonstrate aggression towards others when you’re around. This comes naturally to them owing to their genetic loyalty and protective instincts. It is your responsibility as a caretaker to correct this behavior when you observe a pattern and also ensure it is not encouraged in the name of love or compassion. Sometimes we unintentionally encourage incorrect behavior patterns, just like we do with children because we fear being harsh. Being strict or drawing boundaries with animals and children isn’t cruelty. Its tough love and most importantly, in the best interest of the animal more than you. Here’s a great article for your reading. Do process and absorb what the authors are conveying and practice it. https://notabully.org/why-are-dogs-protective-of-their-owners/ Read more WHY DO DOGS CHASE BIKES? One of these - Chasing a moving object is more of a game OR it’s a simple territorial instinct OR the person they’re chasing did something to them that they didn’t like. It can be scary, I agree. Here are some tips. Don’t panic. Don’t shout. Don’t aggravate the situation by reacting. Slow down a bit but keep going. They will stop at their boundaries and turn around. Do not shout or try to kick although it is a natural reflex. It will only escalate the situation. Most importantly, DO NOT tease animals. Read more WHY DO DOGS HOWL AT NIGHT? Several reasons. Could be a threat. Could be another hurt animal. Could be something that made them uncomfortable. Could be in response to other community dogs who howled. Dogs descended from wolves but were vastly domesticated over a period of time so howling is a natural instinct and another method of communication. Yes, it can be unsettling but its nature. Our neighbors call out their names when they start “group howling” and it’s kind of cute, I must admit! The howling tapers down eventually. Try it sometime! Read more WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT NOT TRANSPARENT WITH THEIR APPROACH TOWARDS COMMUNITY ANIMALS? The government has a list of all initiatives listed on their BBMP and AWBI website for those who want to look up and come up to speed. Having said that, could there be more awareness and updates in a structured, consistent and periodic fashion? Absolutely yes. Could there be awareness drives in pockets through road shows, newspaper articles, hoardings and advertisements? Absolutely yes. The best way to feed your curiosity is to engage with your local community animal caretakers. They come with a sea of information and can help answer most of your questions. Additionally, NGO’s organize awareness drives in their centers and you could join one of the events. You can plug yourself in by following their social media page. Read more CARETAKER APPROACH - PROVIDER VS PROTECTOR It is important for all caretakers to know the difference between playing the role of a provider versus a protector. Establishing thick boundaries around this is very important in the interest of the animal, yourself, your neighborhood and the society. Not establishing boundaries will only lead to negative ripple effects and also increase of chaos and that is not something we need or good for the animal. By establishing boundaries what I mean is a couple of do's and don'ts. 1.While feeding it is always good to leave the food in your usual spots and walk away. Alternatively, one could watch from a distance. The rationale behind this is to encourage their independence as much as giving them assurance on being taken care of. 2.It is recommended to leave dogs be to sort out issues among themselves UNLESS the fight is at a threatening point of escalation. 3.Too much human contact on playful or compassionate grounds such as stroking them often or encouraging them to play with you too much or jump on you may not be the best approach, as much as one might want to! The rationale is they might end up thinking they are allowed to be as playful with others as well and not everyone may be comfortable so it is recommended to maintain the distance. While I do understand it might not be a pleasant experience from a caretaker’s point of view, this is the most balanced approach. Animals know no bias and it is our responsibility to NOT confuse or mislead them. 5.During feeding, feed them in their designated spots as opposed to inside your gate (if it’s an independent house). While this absolutely is a personal choice, there are couple of experiences that lead me to quote this. I cannot emphasize enough on the balanced encouragement between independence and assurance. Consider someone living in a rented house and is constantly moving cities or localities. We’re getting the dog used to something we cannot keep up to. We’re blurring the boundaries for the animal. Whoever occupies the house next may not be as warm hearted as the previous tenant. Now couple of things are a possibility here. A) The dog might get driven away harshly. B) Assaulted. C) Viewed as a menace . All these for no fault of his / hers. Hence, it is recommended to use ones discretion. As mentioned, there is no RIGHT or WRONG here. There is only HOW. 6.The most common issue caretakers have approached me for help is the dogs unintended and harmless aggression which in reality is their natural protective instinct that surfaces from “blending in” with the caretakers life and house completely. This might cause issues with the neighborhood as they might view others as a threat when it comes to the caretaker. Hence, again, it is recommended to use ones discretion. As mentioned, there is no RIGHT or WRONG here. There is only HOW. 7.Phase out feeding schedules so their survival instincts and self –fending capabilities remain intact. As an example, feeding once in every 2 days in recommended. Be mindful of not unintentionally diluting that . At the end of the day, they live on the streets and will need to look for themselves although there are caretakers around. Encourage others as well. As we all know, leading by example always works. Note: This is a personal choice and what is mentioned here is just a guideline. Read more WHY ARE COMMUNITY ANIMALS IN UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS AND HAVE NO DEDICATED TRAINING OR SPACE FOR THEM TO DEFECATE? Let’s define “unhygienic” first. A rough or dirty coat? Scavenging? Drinking water from gutters, pot holes and other available resources? Relieving themselves in open areas? These can be a common occurrence with domestic pets too. ALL ANIMALS SCAVENGE NO MATTER HOW WELL FED THEY ARE. In community animals, these conditions are more prevalent because they live on the streets. They are more susceptible to flees, ticks, a dirty coat etc. They drink where water is available if the community hasn’t left water for them on the road or at their gate. Relieving themselves on muddy areas, bushes and secluded places (which serves as manure for plants most times) is a more common practice than finding poop all over the place UNLESS the vicinity is DENSELY populated with buildings and they have nowhere else to go, just like humans who live in slum areas with no resources. To address these problems, it is important to raise awareness among community members about proper animal care, hygiene, and the benefits of providing dedicated spaces for animals (which starts with feeding). Collaborating with local authorities, animal welfare organizations, and community leaders can help bring about positive change by implementing improved animal welfare standards. Read more HOW DO OTHER COUNTRIES MANAGE THE STRAY / COMMUNITY ANIMAL POPULATION? There are 5 popular methods of containing the community animal population, specifically dogs. 1.One of the most effective, humane and sensible method is sterilization, which should be in done in a very consistent, methodical and scientific way by a seasoned professionals. In parallel, awareness needs to be created on the importance of it, How people can support after release, what they need to etc 2.Second way is through caretaker / society adoption. Caretaker Adoption need not necessarily mean that people take them home. They could also adopt by taking care of let's say 5 to 6 dogs on that street , giving them proper and safe place to sleep , a designated area where water / food etc is provided for the dog 3.Then there is active adoption. People can consider adopting these community / Indian breeds and bring them home. One dog a house is very much doable. (Valid or compelling reasons for people to not adopt is also a fair stance.) 4.Another method which lot of countries have followed is animal culling , which, I , personally do not support or subscribe to. Killing a life is not only unethical but also an immoral and cruel thing to do but this is how most countries have been managing the population and then we see that the streets are clean. 5.The last method is by rehabilitating these animals in shelter homes. Read more DO'S AND DON'TS WITH A STRAY / COMMUNITY ANIMAL FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR This can be a never ending subject owing to its breadth and depth! If I had to summarize, here it is. Treat them the way you’d like to be treated. WITH RESPECT. Don’t abuse. Don’t shout. Don’t hit. Don’t tease. Don’t get too touchy unless there is a strong foundation of familiarity. Don’t pelt stones. Don’t scare them unnecessarily Educate your children. This is KEY to addressing several types of fears, discomfort and resistance. Community animal existence is REALITY that is about to stay. The only way is to coexist. Educating children holds a pivotal role in facilitating harmonious coexistence. Start with the basics. Who are they? Why are they on the streets? Why the street is their home. How not to conduct themselves with community animals. As an example, not to run past them. Not to walk too close to them when they’re asleep. Not to hover over them. Not to pull their ears, tails or other body parts. Not to touch their food while they’re eating. Not to shout in their presence. Not to walk too close to them. To only interact under the supervision of an adult. How to maintain safe distance from them. How not to bother them when they’re sleeping. These are FUNDAMENTALS and this basic awareness with the children will be the most effective method to avert several accidents. Just like we tell our children to look across both sides of the road while crossing or to walk on the pavement and not middle of the road instead of picking fights with every driver passing that street, educating them to community animal interaction is a far more better method than planting fear in them about these animals being dangerous. Undoubtedly, every parent will want to protect their child from unfortunate incidents but there is a way to do it. Most importantly, take hear-say with a bag full of salt. Rely on your own experiences and find solutions. Talk to experts. Get specific guidance. They aren’t monsters. They’re another species like us. Read more I FOUND A PUPPY ON THE ROAD, WHAT SHOULD I DO? First feed some water and food. Secure a safe place. If you’re willing to adopt, great. If not, take the puppy to a vet. Get the dog checked, dewormed and vaccinated. Plan sterilization post 6 months of age. If none of the above is possible, call a local caretaker / volunteer for guidance and integrate the pup with the community dogs of your area. Through the integration process, create a safe place for the pup in your vicinity. Read more HOW SHOULD I DEWORM A STRAY DOG? Take the dog to a vet. Consult a vet and administer deworming pill or syrup with guidance. It’s important to plan vaccination followed by sterilization at the right age. 6+ months. Read more SOMEONE ABANDONED A DOG NEAR MY HOUSE, WHAT SHOULD I DO? First step is to establish if the dog is a pedigree breed or Indie Second identify the gender of the dog Third assess the dog’s health. Does the dog look sick? Attacked? Bitten? Lost? Look for identification tags. Identify if this is indeed a case of abandonment or the dog is lost, a runaway etc. How? Post in local groups (whatsapp, facebook, Insta and your whatsapp status as well). Ensure you take clear pictures, mention details of the breed, gender, approx. age (if possible), location and a contact number in your post. Next, secure the animal. If you cannot board at your place, take him / her to the nearest vet and admit. Start tests (the vet will provide guidance on this and also help you identify if the dog is sterilized) Go to the nearest police station and share the same poster. Someone may have lodged a complaint for a missing dog, who knows? Also, request cops if they can accommodate the dog until the parents are found OR a home is found OR if they are willing to adopt. (Even better in that case!) Share the poster around in local shops as well. In parallel, start looking for a permanent home. Local adoption groups can help you with that. Get in touch with NGO’s, volunteers / caretakers for further guidance. (This situation could have multiple scenarios / solutions and everything cannot be covered here, hence, best to get in touch with a local caretaker or rescue group) ** Be mindful of sharing your personal number in public. Choose safe credentials to share ALWAYS** ** Be mindful of the message you are circulating. It is recommended to use the term"lost" unless facts of the background have been established. ** If you find a potential adopter, RUN THOROUGH CHECKS. Have them fill the adoption questionnaire. ** **DO NOT finish the adoption WITHOUT sterilization** ** Run periodic checks** Read more THERE IS A DEAD ANIMAL ON THE ROAD, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Call local BBMP authorities to arrange for burial. You can find the contact number for your respective ward through this link. https://www.karnataka.com/govt/bbmp-control-room numbers/ Alternatively, you can call the BBMP control room number and they will guide you. Read more WHAT SHOULD I FEED STRAY / COMMUNITY DOGS? Rice, curd, BOILED meat, eggs, drools, left over chapatti, dosa. NO NO to salt, sugar, masala, tamarind, spice, nuts, chocolates. Read more WHAT SHOULD I FEED STRAY / COMMUNITY CATS? They eat drools too! Cat food is good. Rice and milk is also a good option. Most importantly, GET THEM STERILIZED & VACCINATED. Read more WHAT SHOULD I FEED STRAY / COMMUNITY LARGE ANIMALS? Left over vegetables, rice, porridge or left-over food. Read more I WANT TO STERILIZE DOGS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Get in touch with your local BBMP authorities (Zone wise details available on the home page), an NGO or volunteer / caretaker for further guidance. You could also take the dog to a pvt vet. Read more VEHICLE HIT AN ANIMAL, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Call a local volunteer / caretaker / rescuer, NGO (Details in subsequent tabs) or 24/7 animal husbandry helpline (Bangalore) at 8277100200. Stay with the animal. Pat some water on the head. Try to calm the animal by talking him / her through it. If possible move the animal to a safe place (to the side of a road or outside a shop IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS) with some help. If you are comfortable taking the animal to the nearest vet, great. Read more I ACCIDENTALLY HIT AN ANIMAL WHILE DRIVING / RIDING, WHAT SHOULD I DO? First off, let the guilt not eat you up. It was an accident. Do not flee the place. Get down, grab some water, give it to the animal. Dab water on the head to control the shock & trauma. Dial for help ASAP. Ngo & animal husbandry helpline numbers are listed in the directory section. If you can, move the animal to side of the road under a tree. (if you are familiar with the process) Stay around until help arrives. If the animal has run away due to shock & agitation, you cannot do much. Send the location to yourself. Take numbers of local shopkeepers. Return to the place in the next earliest possible opportunity & ensure you extend needed help. If an ngo has picked up the animal, do donate whatever you can to support treatment. If the animal passes away unfortunately, please do call bbmp & request for burial. We owe that to our environment, society & animals. If you witness an accident, please do not walk away. Do your bit. Read more SUMMER TIPS Ensure you keep water bowls outside your house and on the terrace for birds. Fill it as many times as possible. Water is a life saver! Watch out of dehydration symptoms. Glucose is a great option as first aid for a dehydrated animal until he / she can get professional help. Read more MY RESIDENT ASSOCIATION DOESN'T ALLOW ANIMALS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? A pet is your family member and the RWA cannot dictate the kind, the size, or the breed of pets you can keep. It cannot ban any kind of pet stating that 'large-sized dogs are not allowed. Also, even if the majority in a general body meeting of the RWA decides against you keeping your pet, this is illegal. Having said that, as a pet parent, you need to be mindful of following some fundamental and important rules such as – cleaning after your pet, keeping them on leash in public areas, training them to well so socializing is smooth etc. For your reference, here’s the RAW pet law. https://mygate.com/blog/housing-society/apartment-pet-owner-rights/. Read more A DOG IS SLEEPING ON HIS BACK. IS THIS NORMAL? Absolutely! To the contrary, it indicates trust, comfort and reassurance. Read more I WANT TO ADOPT A STRAY / COMMUNITY ANIMAL, WHAT SHOULD I DO? There are tons on the street! Take them to a vet, follow protocols and bring the joy home! You could also get in touch with NGO’s, groups or caretakers. Remember, bringing home a dog is a 10-15 year commitment. Think through the decision well. Like us, they don’t like being tossed around, abandoned or ghosted. You could also get in touch with adoption groups in your city through facebook or Instagram. Read more I FOUND A PUPPY ON THE ROAD; CAN I JUST TAKE HIM / HER HOME? Ensure your safety: Assess the situation and make sure it is safe to approach and handle the puppy. Be mindful of any potential dangers, traffic, or aggressive behavior from the puppy or other animals nearby. 1 . Approach with caution: Slowly and gently approach the puppy, speaking softly to reassure them. Extend a hand to let the puppy sniff and become familiar with your scent. If they seem receptive, you can proceed to the next step. 2. Secure the puppy: If the puppy is comfortable with your presence, gently pick them up and place them in a secure and comfortable carrier or box. Ensure proper ventilation and safety to prevent any escape or harm during transportation. 3. Check for identification: Look for any identification tags or collars on the puppy. If they have identification, you can contact the pet parent directly or contact a nearby shelter / NGO and provide them with the information. 4. Provide temporary care: If you are unable to immediately reach a rescue organization, provide a safe and comfortable space for the puppy in your home. Offer water, food (if appropriate for their age), and a warm, quiet area away from other pets and potential hazards. 5. Seek veterinary care: Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can assess the puppy's health, provide necessary vaccinations or medical treatment, and address any immediate concerns. Remember, adopting a puppy is a significant commitment. Before deciding to keep the puppy, consider factors such as your ability to provide proper care, time, resources, and the long-term responsibility involved in raising a pet. If you are unable to keep the puppy, reaching out to local animal shelters and rescue organizations is often the best course of action to ensure their safety and well-being. Read more I DON'T HAVE MONEY BUT WANT TO HELP STRAY ANIMALS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Help in kind. Volunteer with NGO’s or local caretakers. They can always use extra hands! Or donate old / unused things to local NGO's Read more HOW TO HANDLE DOG FIGHTS? DO NOT interfere. The best way to diffuse a fight without harming yourself or the dogs is by pouring water on all of them, be it a group of streeties of a group of your domestic pets. If there is tension between your domestic pet and a streetie, it is always advisable to carry a stick or water bottle during the walk just as a signal that you both would like the distance. If the fight is escalating and one of them is getting seriously or fatally injured, best to use your sense of discretion and presence of mind. Read more DOGS ARE MATING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE It’s a natural process. Them mating in front of your house cannot be helped. Do not try to interfere, break them apart, throw stones, shout etc. Let them be. Get in touch with local volunteers, BBMP location or NGO’s to facilitate a sterilization and vaccination drive. Read more WHY DO DOGS GET STUCK TOGETHER AFTER MATING? |WHAT TO DO IF DOGS ARE STUCK TOGETHER AFTER MATING? (Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Unstick-a-Dog-After-Mating ). Co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM and Sophia Latorre Did your dog just get stuck to another dog after doing the deed? Don’t panic! This is actually a normal part of the mating process and there’s nothing to worry about. Take a deep breath and read on, because we’ve gathered all the info you need to know—and it might take a while for the dogs to naturally release each other (but rest assured, they will). Things You Should Know It’s totally normal for dogs to get stuck together after mating. It’s called a “copulatory tie”. Don’t do anything to try to separate the dogs, especially pull them apart by force, which could hurt them! Stay calm and wait for the dogs to unstick themselves. If they’re still stuck together after an hour (which is unlikely to happen), call your vet to get advice. Why do dogs get stuck together after mating? Getting stuck together is known as a “copulatory tie,” and it’s completely normal. Called a “tie” for short, sticking together or getting stuck back-to-back is a perfectly natural occurrence that can last anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes after the male dog has finished ejaculating. There’s no need to intervene! The breed of the dogs may influence how long they remain stuck together. Dogs that haven’t bred before and dogs that are nervous after mating may also take longer to unlock. What To Do If Dogs are Stuck Together After Mating Allow them to separate on their own. Never try to physically separate the dogs! Removing them by force is likely to hurt them both. If you’re trying to prevent pregnancy, unfortunately, it’s probably already too late. Pulling the dogs apart won't help, and it may hurt them. Stay calm and supervise the dogs until they get unstuck. Be patient, and don’t panic. A copulatory tie is totally normal. Make sure the pooches can’t run into a street or in harm’s way. Just sit with them and remain calm. Pet the female dog to keep her calm while you wait it out. If the dogs are becoming overactive, anxious, or playful, leash them to keep them under control until they’re unstuck. Call your vet if they’re still stuck after an hour. It can take between 5 and 60 minutes for the dogs to get unstuck after mating. If it’s been longer than that and you have concerns, speak to your veterinarian to see what they advise. Give each dog some TLC once they’re unstuck. Let the female rest in a quiet place away from other animals. If the male’s penis doesn’t go back into its sheath shortly after mating, or if you have any other concerns, reach out to your vet. Look for signs of pregnancy in the female, including increased appetite and weight gain. Around 28 days after mating, your vet can do an exam to confirm if she is pregnant and give you tips on how to care for her. Why do dogs get stuck together after mating? The male dog’s penis, or bulbis glandis, expands and the female dog’s vaginal muscles tighten, creating a copulatory tie. Usually, the dogs will stand butt-to-butt until the swelling subsides.[8] The copulatory tie can prevent another male from mating with the female before fertilization has occurred. It may also prevent sperm from leaking out, which increases the chances of pregnancy. Dogs may wait back-to-back as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from other animals, as mating is a vulnerable act in the wild. Does a tie mean the female is pregnant? Not necessarily, but it can improve the chances of fertilization. Pregnancy can also occur without a tie, called slip mating, but is less likely. Does it hurt the dogs? It can be uncomfortable or even a bit painful, especially if this is either dog’s first time breeding. Dogs without experience may not know the most comfortable position to wait out the tie. Still, don’t try to separate them, which would cause more pain and potential injury. Just wait it out and do your best to keep them calm. The female dog may bark, howl, or make other noises while she’s tied to the male. This could just be her way of communicating with him, and may not indicate that she’s in pain Read more ARE ALL BIG DOG BREEDS DANGEROUS? Big dog breeds can be strong and powerful, but it's important to remember that not all big dogs are inherently dangerous. A dog's behavior is influenced by factors such as genetics, socialization, and training. While certain larger breeds might have a reputation for being aggressive or protective, it is not fair to generalize all big dog breeds as dangerous. It is crucial to assess each dog individually and consider the temperament, upbringing, and environment when determining whether he/she poses a danger. Responsible parenthood, proper training, and socialization are important regardless of a dog's size. 1. Breed tendencies: Some breeds may have traits that predispose them to be more aggressive or protective. Researching the breed's typical behavior and characteristics can help provide insight into possible predispositions. 2. Individual temperament: Each dog has its own unique temperament, regardless of breed. Some dogs may be naturally more submissive, while others may display more dominant or territorial behaviors. Evaluating a dog's temperament is important in understanding its potential for aggression. 3. Socialization: Exposure to various people, animals, and environments during a dog's early development period is crucial. Proper socialization helps dogs learn appropriate behaviors and how to interact positively with others. Lack of socialization can lead to fear or aggression in dogs. Most importantly, before adopting a big breed, always ensure your lifestyles match and you are prepared to take on the responsibility for enough training, physical exercise, mental simulation and socialization. Read more ISN’T STERILIZING CRUEL? WON’T IT HURT THEM? WHY CANNOT THEY JUST LITTER ONCE? WHY CAN’T THEY HAVE FUN? Sterilizing animals, specifically spaying (for females) and neutering (for males), is a commonly practiced and recommended method for controlling the population of animals and improving their overall welfare. While the decision to sterilize an animal (domestic pets) is a personal one, there are several reasons why it is generally considered beneficial for community animals: 1. Overpopulation control: Sterilization helps prevent the exponential growth of the animal population, reducing the number of stray, abandoned, or unwanted animals. This can minimize issues such as overcrowding, resource scarcity, and instances of neglect or abuse. 2. Health benefits: Sterilization can have significant health benefits for animals. Spaying a female animal greatly reduces the risk of certain reproductive system diseases, such as uterine infections or mammary tumors. Neutering a male animal can help prevent testicular cancer and reduce the risk of diseases related to the prostate or the reproductive system. 3. Behavioral benefits: Sterilization can help mitigate certain behavioral issues in animals, such as aggression, territorial marking, roaming or escaping, and excessive mating behaviors. It can lead to calmer and more manageable pets, making them better-suited for a household environment. 4. Longer lifespan: Sterilized animals often have a longer lifespan compared to animals that are not sterilized. This is primarily due to the prevention of reproductive organ-related diseases or conditions that can be life-threatening. Regarding concerns about the potential pain or cruelty of sterilizing animals, it is essential to note that the procedures are performed under anesthesia by qualified veterinarians. The animals are not awake or experiencing pain during the surgery. Post-operative pain management and recovery care are also provided to ensure the animal's comfort and well-being. Read more HOW DO I FORM A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE AS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP COMMUNITY ANIMALS? Forming a small group of volunteers to help community animals can be a rewarding and impactful endeavor. Here are some steps you can take to start: 1. Define your mission and goals: Clearly articulate the purpose of your group. Decide what type of assistance you aim to provide to community animals, whether it's rescue, adoption, fostering, advocacy, or other forms of support. 2. Network and recruit volunteers: Reach out to friends, family, and people within your community who have a shared interest in animal welfare. You can also spread the word through local social media platforms, community bulletin boards, or by hosting informational meetings or events. 3. Establish roles and responsibilities: Determine the various tasks and responsibilities needed within your group, such as fundraising, outreach, animal care, transportation, or administrative duties. Assign roles based on each volunteer's skills and interests. 4. Set up regular meetings: Schedule regular meetings to keep everyone updated, plan activities, and discuss any issues or challenges. Meetings can be in person or held virtually to accommodate everyone's availability. 5. Develop guidelines and procedures: Establish a set of guidelines and procedures that outline how your group will operate. This can include protocols for rescuing or helping animals, handling finances, safety measures, and code of conduct for volunteers. 6. Collaborate with local organizations: Partner with existing animal shelters, rescue groups, or advocacy organizations in your community. They may provide resources, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration or volunteer training. 7. Plan activities and projects: Organize events, such as adoption drives, fundraising campaigns, educational workshops, or community outreach programs. These activities can help raise awareness, promote responsible pet ownership, and generate support for your cause. 8. Seek support and funding: Explore different avenues for financial support, such as applying for grants, hosting fundraisers, seeking sponsorships, or establishing partnerships with local businesses or individuals who are passionate about animal welfare. 9. Prioritize safety and well-being: Ensure that all volunteers are properly trained in animal handling, safety protocols, and any legal requirements. If necessary, work with local authorities or experts to provide appropriate training sessions or resources. Remember, patience and dedication are key when building a volunteer group. It takes time to establish trust, recruit members, and make a meaningful impact. By staying committed to your mission and building a strong team, you can make a positive difference in the lives of community animals. Read more MY ONE MONTH OLD PUPPY IS CHEWING THINGS AT HOME. WHY? WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP THAT? At one month old, puppies are still very young and are in the early stages of development. Chewing is a natural behavior for puppies and serves several purposes: 1. Teething: Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething process as their adult teeth start to come in. Chewing helps relieve discomfort and aids in the loosening and shedding of baby teeth. 2. Exploration: Puppies explore the world through their mouths. They use chewing as a way to learn about their environment and satisfy their curiosity. 3. Boredom or excess energy: Puppies have lots of energy and need mental and physical stimulation. If they don't receive enough exercise and playtime, they may resort to chewing as a way to release pent-up energy. To stop inappropriate chewing, here are some steps you can take: 1. Puppy-proof your home: Remove or secure items that you don't want your puppy to chew on. Keep valuable or dangerous items out of reach, and provide suitable alternatives such as chew toys. 2. Provide appropriate chew toys: Offer a variety of safe and durable chew toys specifically designed for puppies. Opt for toys made of rubber or nylon that are sturdy and cannot easily be torn apart. 3. Supervise and redirect: Keep a watchful eye on your puppy and redirect their chewing behavior to appropriate toys whenever you catch them chewing on something they shouldn't. Offer praise and rewards when they chew on the right items. 4. Ensure plenty of exercise and mental stimulation: Ensure your puppy gets enough exercise and playtime to help alleviate boredom and burn off excess energy. Engage them in interactive games, obedience training sessions, and provide puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys to keep their minds occupied. 5. Consistency and positive reinforcement: Be consistent with your training and redirection efforts. Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and verbal praise, to reward your puppy when they chew on appropriate items. 6. Avoid punishment: Punishment or harsh discipline can be counterproductive and may cause fear or anxiety in your puppy. Focus on positive reinforcement and redirection instead. Remember, it is normal for puppies to chew, so it's important to have patience and be consistent in your training efforts. With time, proper guidance, and providing appropriate outlets for chewing, your puppy will learn what is acceptable to chew on and what is not. Read more IS TALKING TO COMMUNITY ANIMALS NORMAL BEHAVIOR? Talking to community animals can be a natural behavior for some people. Many individuals find comfort in talking to animals, whether they are pets, community animals, or even wildlife. People often talk to animals as a way to express affection, provide comfort, or simply to share their thoughts and feelings While animals may not understand all the words humans say, they can often pick up on the tone of voice, body language, and overall energy of a person. Talking to animals in a calm, soothing manner can help create a sense of connection and may even help to alleviate stress or anxiety in both the human and the animal. We’d be surprised how much they understand, process and respond if we only choose to communicate with the regularly. Effective communication boils down to comprehension and comprehension isn’t dependent on the same “language”. Additionally, talking to community animals can serve as a way to build trust and familiarity, especially if you are engaging with strays or animals who may have had limited human interaction. Your voice can become a source of reassurance, and by consistently talking to them, you can help them feel more comfortable around humans. It's important to note that while talking to animals can be a normal behavior, it is also essential to respect their boundaries and individual comfort levels. Some animals may be more receptive to interaction than others, and it's important to observe their body language and respond accordingly. Overall, talking to community animals is a personal choice and can enhance the bond and connection between humans and animals. Read more HOW TO HELP ANIMALS / BIRDS STUCK IN UNREACHABLE PLACES (DRAINS, ROOFTOPS ETC) The first option is to call local rescue groups. You can also get together with your community and plan a rescue carefully. It is important to have seasoned and hand on rescuer as a part of the rescue ops during such complex situations. Reaching out to fire brigade is also a great option to help you with such rescues. As help is on its way, ensure you’re constantly keeping an eye on the animal. Provide water and food if you can reach. Keep communicating with the animal in a calm tone. Don’t crowd the place. Make enough space for air to pass through. Don’t panic. Read more MY DOG WENT THROUGH A SURGERY. THE STITCHES AREN'T HEALING. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Consult your vet as a first step. While cleaning a wound, avoid water. Use the prescribed ointment. Clean with a solution as advised by the vet before applying the ointment. Ensure dressing is thorough. Keep the surgical area free of moist and water. Read more MY DOG IS INACTIVE. He isn’t playful anymore. His appetite has dropped. Sleeps most of the time and is behaving in an unusual way. Do not self-medicate. Take the dog to a vet immediately for further diagnosis. Read more WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppy_mill THAT IS WHY "ADOPT, DON'T SHOP" IS A SLOGAN! Read more IMPORTANCE OF DEWORMING https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/importance-of-deworming-in-dog/

A DOG’S WHISPER…. Dear God, please send me somebody who’ll care! I’m tired of running, sick with despair! My body is aching; I’m so racked with pain, And Dear God I pray as I run in the rain, That someone will love me and give me a home A warm cozy bed and big juicy bone My last owner tied me all day in the yard, Sometimes no water and God! That was hard! So I chewed my leash God; and I ran away To rummage in garbage and live as stray I’m not really bad God, please help me if you can For I have become just another “Victim of Man!” I’m wormy Dear God; and I’m ridden with fleas And all that I ever wanted was an owner to please If you find one for me God! I’ll try to be good I won’t chew their shoes and I’ll do as I should I’ll love them, protect them and try to obey When they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay! I don’t think I’ll make it too long on my own ‘Cause I’m getting so weak and Oh so alone Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry ‘Cause I’m so afraid God! That I’m gonna die I’ve got so much love and devotion to give That I should be given a new chance to live So Dear God! Please oh Please! Answer my prayer, And send me somebody who will really care, That is Dear God! If you’re really there! Written by K M Iyengar 2004

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