The National Service Scheme volunteers of Kochi's St Albert's College will now get to learn the basics of animal welfare. The college has recently signed an MoU with the non-profit Humane Society International to conduct webinars and campaigns on animal protection.
"We have been in talks with them for a while now," says Sebastian AV, the college's NSS coordinator. "In the first phase, we want to create a general cognisance in students that the world belongs to other beings too. We have now asked our students to feed strays around them, keep water bowls for birds and take pictures of these," he says, adding that they have larger campaigns planned for the future. St Alberts' is the first NSS unit in the state to tie up with an animal welfare organisation and work towards the cause.
Recently, a video of a man dragging a dog along the road, after tying her to his car had gone viral. Sally Varma, senior campaigner, Humane Society International/India says that such incidents could be avoided if people are taught about the importance of caring for animals from a young age. "Animal welfare isn't just for animal lovers. Everybody has a role to play here," she says.
Someone who has been conducting webinars for the NSS volunteers, Sally adds that animal welfare should not be limited to caring for dogs and cats. "Chickens and farm animals are subjected to worse cruelty. We have to have the presence of mind to notice that and fight against it," she says. The organisation is also campaigning towards adding animal welfare as part of the curriculum. "Research shows that those who commit crimes against animals have a higher disposition to commit crimes against human beings. It is very important to not look at animal welfare as an isolated issue," she adds.
