WHY STRAYTISE
Recently (16 Nov, 2023), The Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka government to undertake extensive measures to publicize guidelines on feeding street animals. “Publicize” AKA “create awareness”. Additionally, "It cannot be much disputed that unless steps are taken to give wide publicity to these Guidelines, their effective implementation may not happen and that would defeat the very purpose for which the Government has come out with the same," the Court said. (Note: These guidelines, rules & regulations have been into effect for several years now including the prevention of cruelty to animals act 2001)
(This is an extract of the news & here’s the link) https://www.barandbench.com/news/publicise-policy-feeding-stray-dogs-karnataka-high-court-state?_gl=1*1e17dem*_ga*aG9Nc1ZQYUxueHZ3X1Q4WlVHYV9sZUF0R0tLSEtid3Q3d0hPbE91WUFTNVpRUXlxRVpic0JSc0lRT1hpM2l4TQ..*_ga_2MGJDQEB43*MTcwMDE1MDkxMC4xLjEuMTcwMDE1MTE0Mi4wLjAuMA
As quoted in the news article: “The Court suggested various modes of publicizing the same including uploading it on official websites, distributing pamphlets and placards in busy areas, and exploring opportunities for screening in theaters and television networks.”
Straytise is one such effort. StrayTise makes sense.
WHY STRAYTISE?
Let's move on to statistics of a recent survey we conducted.
This questionnaire was sent to a mixed group of people to ensure balance in views.
Group A: Community animal caretakers
Group B: People who lived with pets but never got involved with community animals.
Group C: People who never lived with pets or fed a community animal.
Group D: People who weren’t comfortable with community animals.
Group E: People who were just neutral in their views and never mulled over this subject.
The results were heartwarming & thought provoking.
Statistics
Conclusion
85% voted a YES to community animal tending. (Feeding & caretaking)
72% feeling safe (be it themselves or their street / homes) with their presence
67% voted for sterilization (with the rest suggesting adoption, rehabilitation etc)
66% praising their loyalty.
61% quoted chasing bikes
57% referred to population of community dogs / animals as a problem. (Details is in the statistics section)
38% quoted attacking humans as an issue.
This data is a compelling view of a society that is inclined to encourage human-animal coexistence. The scales of compassion & empathy clearly outweigh aversion.
In over 2 decades of meeting people from different walks of life, many have
expressed gratitude to the compassion that community animal caretakers
demonstrate. Many have objected. Many have supported. Many were neutral.
The fundamentals of –
1. Why are there so many dogs?
2. They are such a menace!
3. Why are they not a threat?
4. Why are you providing food and water?
boils down to a circle of apathy & ignorance which should ideally take us to a stage of empathy to be able to ask-
1. What is vaccination?
2. What is sterilization?
3. Who will sterilize them?
4. What are the benefits of tending to them?
5. Are they really needed in my society?
6. Why can't we be like the other countries?
While there are plenty informative websites with great material & guidance, the ones who use it are INTERESTED to go DEEPER into the subject.
What about those who don't know where to look for information or find it too much to absorb?
Why should unawareness be ridiculed? Why should it be labeled as "hatred" Or "unkindness"?
HENCE, STRAYTISE.
StrayTise makes sense.
* Picture credit: Google
I could fear an animal, yet be a kind person. I could hold a different perspective & principle on kindness, nobleness, the joy of giving and charity yet not get involved with animals or HARM THEM.
I could watch a wild animal caretaker with awe but still maintain my distance. Isn't the same theory applicable to the ones watching community animal caretakers from a distance? Food for thought!
Having said that, there's a thick line I'd draw between unawareness VS interference, cruelty and hate. More on that later.
Now, Picture this. Animal welfare is a huge truck running on 4 big wheels.
The TYRES are -
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Law & order & Governing bodies
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AWBI (animal welfare board of India)
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SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a nonprofit animal welfare organization around the world)
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AWRN's (Animal welfare research network, across the world)