This story is from August 6, 2014

'Youth readily volunteer for animal welfare work'

Animal welfare officer Sharanya Shetty is a name to reckon with for her sheer dedication and selfless service to animals.
'Youth readily volunteer for animal welfare work'
Animal welfare officer Sharanya Shetty is a name to reckon with for her sheer dedication and selfless service to animals. She runs a shelter for stray, abandoned and sick animals, but also conducts raids on illegal animal trade and poaching activities in the district. She shares her fulfilling journey in an interview with Sumita Sarkar.
When and how did you discover your passion for animals?
My father was an animal lover and I shared his passion since childhood.
My father-in-law had a pet dog at our farm. With the support of my family and a friend, I started with the shelter for animals. It is a 3,000 square feet terrace, where dogs, cats and birds are kept. The larger animals are sent to my farm or those owned by my friends.
I started working as an animal welfare officer with the Animal Welfare Board of India and People for Animals in 2008 and registered the shelter for animals, Sharan, with the charity commissioner in 2009.
What does your service to the animals include?
We treat animals and release them from the area that we picked them from. If the animals are injured and cannot be healed, we keep them at the shelter and look after them. We have a team of volunteers, including doctors. The bigger animals are sent to the farms and are taken care of there. We also put up animals for adoption. In my farm, we have 12 injured dogs.
What do you like about the city?

This city has given me everything. Whatever I am, it is because of this city. Youngsters are very aware and they readily volunteer for the work. Their support and encouragement is better than the attitude of the adults.
What do you dislike about the city?
People support my cause but there is not much passion or compassion towards animals. One building can adopt a dog. It would require only Rs 200-300 per month.
What does the city lack?
Like I said, people are not very compassionate about doing something for the animals. When we go to the police with any issues related to stray dogs or to file a missing complaint, they are not very co-operative. When there are complaints of cruelty to animals, I have to go to the police. But if they do not co-operate, what can I do?
The formation of a Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA) is a must. I am trying to get it in place along with the other animal activists, the government veterinary polyclinic and district collector.
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