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Abodh Aras, CEO of Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD), says it is important to feed strays in the lockdown as their normal source of food is not available. "One must follow all Coronavirus-related protocol first," he says.

WSD has identified office neighbourhoods and locations where dogs are likely to be going hungry. "Dogs that relied on office-goers and nearby shop owners for feeding are sure to suffer during the lockdown. We have distributed dry food to people in the areas so that they are regularly getting to eat. We also give food to security guards and slum dwellers who we know will help the animals in their area," he signs off.

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Every animal matters

Ganesh Nayak with the pet ambulance used for feeding rounds

With the help of 75 volunteers and staff, Ganesh Nayak of Animal Matters to Me (AMTM) looks after 15,000 dogs across Mumbai since the organisation was set up in 2010. During the lockdown, the team sets out in four ambulances that carry freshly cooked food made in their Malad community kitchen. Each van plies with one or two volunteers, a driver and staff. "We offer a porridge of rice, veggies, dog food and medicine to cure itching and ticks based on a certified vet's recipe. If someone wishes to volunteer, we pick them up, take a consent form and carry out the feeding in their area depending on our feeding chart," says Nayak who supplies protection gear of masks, sanitisers and gloves. He also gives volunteers up to R300 for their service.

A volunteer at AMTM’s community kitchen

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Parel's star feeders

Since 1999, Nalini Jayram Utekar has been feeding stray dogs and cats in central Mumbai. In the lockdown, her routine has not changed, and she knows her 75 furry friends are waiting for her. On a regular day, her route would cover Portuguese Church in Dadar, Prabhadevi and Lower Parel. "In the lockdown, I am only covering Lower Parel. On my two shifts, I cover areas from Bhoiwada Police Station to Haffkine Institute, KEM Hospital to SPCA gates, and Bharatmata cinema. I take pet food, milk, bread and water which I pour into disposable bowls from 7 pm to 11 pm," says the 55-year-old whose monthly expenditure to feed the strays is '50,000. She collects this amount from donors and through personal funding.

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