3 days Ago By Anjali Jhangiani
1 2 3 4 Pune: Amid the ongoing heatwave, a tide of compassion is also rippling through the city. A handful of animal welfare NGOs are distributing free cement or clay water bowls, urging citizens to place these near their homes, shops, and at regular feeding spots for strays. Across localities, volunteers are hauling heavy bowls into shaded nooks and crafting makeshift beds out of discarded gunny bags to protect strays from overheated footpaths.
You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Groups distributing such bowls include Blue Cross Hospital and Karma Foundation. Nisha Monteiro, an animal activist from NIBM Road stepping up for this cause, told TOI, "Volunteers can request water bowls by emailing Blue Cross Hospital and pick them up when ready for free. We collected around 10 bowls earlier in March and another 10 towards the end of the month, just as the heat was really setting in.
We've placed them along NIBM Road, NIBM-Undri Road, and many bylanes. While we distribute these bowls to volunteers, our condition is that the latter must clean them regularly and keep them filled." She added, "Fresh water can get dirty fast.
Animals also sit in the bowls and dip their paws in to cool down. I make rounds each morning to refill the water. It takes three trips with a five-litre can.
Thankfully, some shops and kind people pitch in." Kumail Raza, founder of Humanity Foundation, echoed, "We placed matkas for people to drink water from, and below them, pots for animals. These are installed at five locations in Kondhwa so far.
We've been doing this for humans for seven years and last year, someone suggested, ‘Why not for animals as well?' We absolutely agreed." Katraj-based activist Karishma Shah said, "We collect old gunny bags from shops and spread them out under trees and corners. It's not much, but at least the animals have a cooler spot to rest.
A few minutes off the hot concrete could save their paws from burns." Such initiatives have also been met with vandalism. Many volunteers reported that the bowls near housing societies were damaged or stolen within a few days.
"It's frustrating. Residents don't want bowls nearby as they think it will attract strays. We have to keep replacing the bowls," shared Ananya Bhide, an animal volunteer from Vimannagar.
Despite the setbacks, the movement is growing. Social media groups are buzzing with requests for bowls, water donations and volunteer help. Veterinarian Kirti Jalopia said that in this furnace-like heat, a clean bowl of water and a shaded spot are small mercies that can often be the difference between life and death.
"When temperatures soar above 40°C, stray animals are at extreme risk. Dehydration can set in rapidly, especially in puppies, kittens, and older animals. Without access to clean drinking water, they can suffer from heatstroke, kidney damage, and in severe cases, death.
We also see a spike in cases of burned paw pads, skin infections, and exhaustion from prolonged exposure to hot surfaces and intense sun. Providing shaded spots and regular access to fresh water isn't just compassionate, it's critical for their survival in the summer months," said Jalopia..
