Pakistan has countless stray animals starving by roadsides, in parks, near garbage dumps, and at different corners of society, waiting for humans to show compassion. Tragically, most people abhor their presence and leave them vulnerable to die. Even worse, deliberate acts of cruelty, such as running over animals with vehicles, reflect the moral decay within the state. In such a bleak scenario, volunteer feeders (mostly women) step-in by taking pragmatic and sustainable steps. Unfortunately, their courageous actions ignite hostility among segments of society. Every day, feeders face harassment and abuse, subjecting these kind-hearted individuals to trauma and depression. In a nation founded on principles of compassion and justice, the mistreatment of animal feeders and voiceless creatures is a heartbreaking betrayal. Legal protection is essential.
AISHA KALID: The two-nation theory is the bedrock of Pakistan’s creation. The crux of the theory was to create a separate state governed by Islamic principles… These include the welfare of every community, including animals and the environment, along with justice, equality, security, empowerment, and more.
However, in today’s Pakistan, we can blatantly see contradictions, as insecurity, harassment, injustice, delayed justice, marginalisation, animal culling, animal cruelty, including poisoning and beating them, and many other social evils are prevalent in society.
Amazingly, Islam focuses on enjoining good and forbidding evil, but here, people are suppressing good deeds and promoting wickedness. Many animal feeders are harassed, threatened, abused, beaten, and even reported to legal authorities by members of their own communities merely for their compassion.
Animal feeders are, in essence, kind and socially responsible members of society who selflessly feed and rescue animals using their own resources and even take them to veterinarians. Furthermore, some of these unsung heroes vaccinate and neuter strays, contributing to environmental safety. In light of their noble acts, they deserve appreciation and empowerment to spread this moral goodness throughout society. However, the response they receive is quite the opposite, leading to the suffering of both feeders and animals.
Pakistan has countless stray animals starving by roadsides, in parks, near garbage dumps, and at different corners of society, waiting for humans to show compassion. Tragically, most people abhor their presence and leave them vulnerable to die. Even worse, deliberate acts of cruelty, such as running over animals with vehicles, reflect the moral decay within the state.
Government bodies, instead of taking humane action, often resort to violent measures to control the stray population, including mass culling, shooting, and poisoning, targeting even small puppies and pregnant dogs, thereby exposing the hollow governance of Pakistan…
In such a bleak scenario, volunteer feeders step in, filling the vacuum left by failed governance by taking pragmatic and sustainable steps. Unfortunately, their courageous actions ignite hostility among the illiterate and amoral segments of society, resulting in harassment and greater vulnerabilities for the animals they care for.
Every day, feeders operating in streets, colonies, societies, or recreational centres face escalating issues of harassment and abuse, subjecting these kind-hearted individuals to trauma and depression. ..In a nation founded on principles of compassion and justice, the mistreatment of animal feeders and voiceless creatures is a heartbreaking betrayal of our true values…
Legal protection is essential. Animal feeders must be given rights enshrined in law to ensure their safety and to recognise their contributions to society. In this regard, Pakistan can draw lessons from India, where the harassment of animal feeders has been criminalised, and the relocation of animals has been made illegal. India has empowered its municipalities to support volunteer workers through sustainable stray population control measures such as vaccination, neutering, and spaying. SOURCE…
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