IN DEFENCE OF

ANIMALS

GAURANGI SANJAY POTDAR

DPGD/OC13/1354
SAVING ANIMALS
IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS

LIST OF TABLES
Sr
no

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

VARIOUS NGOS

WORKING OF IDA

CONTRIBUTION OF IDA

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

PAGE
NO

1.

Introduction.

IN DEFENCE OF ANIMAL

IDA INDIA is a non profit grass root level animal protection organisation, dedicated towards
establishing and defending the rights of all non - human living creatures.
It aims at:

Providing infrastructural facilities for shelters, dispensaries, ambulances etc for

alleviating the suffering of animals.

Lobbying for amendments to existing animal protection laws in India, to make them
effective.

Rescue of abused animals.

Campaigning to secure legal recognition for animal rights nationally and internationally.

Promoting vegetarianism.

Promoting Animal Birth Control program and disctheiraging brutal extermination of stray
animals.

Creating awareness amongst people, so as to start a mass movement against o

Use of animals in laboratories for experimentation.

Vivi-section in schools & colleges

Harsh training regimes in circuses and films

Manhandling of slaughter animal and poultry chicken

Cruelty to cows, bullocks, horses, donkeys,

Zoos

Breeding for commercial exploitation.

Brief History Of IDA

In Defense of Animals, India was born on 31st October 1996. Immediately the project of
neutering of street dogs was taken up. A small beginning was made in March 1997 in two
garages of a residential colony in a suburb of Mumbai. For three years IDA INDIA
worked in small make shift camps. With the intervention of the Mumbai High Ctheirt, the
Corporation handed over the premises at Deonar to IDA INDIA on 22nd December 1999.

Project for working animals in Mumbai like horses and bullocks from 1st April
2008:
They hold regular check up camps, treat ill / injured animals and are actively involved in
sensitizing "owners" towards their animals. Their vet is available for emergency calls 24
x 7 to help these animals.

Spay / neuter program in the smaller towns near Mumbai & Navi Mumbai:
Several small Municipal Councils in Raigadh District have started approaching IDA India
to set up spay / neuter camps in their towns. They held the first camp at Matheran, and
neutered / spayed 475 dogs in 4 months betTheyen February & May 2008. They now
propose to move the camp to other towns. Presently, They are working in the towns of
Dahanu and Lonavala.

Their Mission Statement:

"Always....In Defense of Animals."

They Believe that :

Treating animals differently from humans, is akin to racism and sexism

Being immune to the pain and suffering of animals means that one's soul has not yet
awakened

A civilized society, is one where there is zero tolerance to abuse and cruelty of any kind
to animals

At IDA India, They believe that their moral duty as humane individuals, is to help & assist the
animals to the best of their ability. They have no major philosophies, but They believe that
animals have a right to food, shelter, comfort, love and life like They do. They Theyre perhaps
born to alleviate the suffering of these neglected, abused, ftheir legged; slithering and feathered
friends...their co-inhabitants, who came to this planet before us, their soul mates from the animal
kingdom.

2.

Other NGO working in this area

1. Save their strays Mumbai:

1. SOS was founded in November 2003 by Shirley advani in her immediate neighborhood
of Andheri (Theyst), today their area of operation has expanded from Bandra to Dahisar
in Theystern surburbs. Their main focus is to keep the population of Dogs and Cats under
control and keep the city litter free

2. Jaagruti:

NGO Jagriti was established in the year 2000 in Amdalpur Village of Jagadhri block of
Yamunanagar district. Haryana. A registered organization under the Societies Registration
Act, Jagriti is working in the villages of Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra districts of
Haryana and Paonta block of Himachal Pradesh.

3. P.A.W.S:

Pet Animal Theylfare Society (PAWS) came into existence in 1998 and started working
the very same day. The purpose of the society is to make people aware about the care,
management and nutrition of pet and stray animals. For PAWS, all animals on this planet
are the pets of the society and hence They need to realize their importance in their
everyday life and do their bit in exchange.

4. FIAPO: FIAPO is Indias apex animal protection organization. As collective voice of

animal protection movement in India, FIAPO is the catalyst that protects the interests of
animals at local and national levels. Created for the movement, by the movement and
comprised of animal protection organization, FIAPO is Indias only national federation.

3. IDA Organisation
The Foundation of IDA
In early 1983, veterinarian Elliot Katz, a recent transplant to the Bay Area, was contacted by an
animal-advocacy organization seeking his help to rectify purportedly abusive and scandalous
conditions on the UC Berkeley campus animal laboratories. What Dr. Katz discovered was worse
than he could have ever imagined. It was a veterinarian's nightmare. Animals living in grossly
overcrowded and filthy facilities Theyre suffering and dying by the hundreds from heatstroke,
complications following surgery, gangrene, bacterial meningoencephalitis and viral epidemics.
Campus veterinarians Theyre unable to perform their jobs, and in some instances, Theyre even
locked out of laboratories where animals in need Theyre sick and dying.
Determined to improve conditions for the animals and the veterinarians at the university, Dr.
Katz brought together a group of concerned citizens whose sole intent was to bring legal action
against the USDA and the university. The group, initially called Californians for Responsible
Research, filed a law suit against the USDA which forced the agency to issue a cease and desist
order against UC Berkeley.
The university was ultimately fined $12,000 for violating the Animal Theylfare Act. Californians
for Responsible Research, later to become In Defense of Animals, succeeded in bringing some
semblance of responsibility to the animal research department at UC Berkeley.
Under Dr. Katz' direction, In Defense of Animals has expanded its mission and has grown to be
one of the nation's foremost animal advocacy organizations, with 80,000 members, dedicated to
ending abuse of animals by defending their rights, Theylfare and habitat.

Animal Welfare in India

As per the Indian tradition and culture, animals always had a respect and a special place in
society. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism have always preached kindness and compassion to
animals. Each Hindu God or Goddess is seen with an animal. Lord Krishna was a shepherd and
is seen with a cow, Lord Rama with the monkeys, Lord Vishnu with the eagle and the snake,
Lord Shiva with a snake around his neck and the bull 'Nandi' at his feet, Goddess Saraswati
goddess of wisdom and literacy is seen with swan. Goddess Amba symbol of power riding a
tiger, Lord Dattatraya always has dogs at his feet, and so on. The foundation of Buddhism and
Jainism is 'Ahimsa' or 'non-violence', not only towards fellow humans and animals, but also to
every living creature including an insect.
With such rich culture and heritage, where kindness and compassion were the foundation of
society, there was no need for animal welfare organizations, as each home was an animal welfare
institution by itself. Every home had cattle in the back yard. The bullocks worked in the fields
alongside the farmer, the cows and buffaloes provided milk to the family, but only after the
calves have had their fill. Dogs and cats lived inside the homes as members of the family. The
hen lived happily in the front yard and provided the family with eggs. Leather was made from
the hides of only dead animals. Thus it was a beautiful picture of co-existence of animals and
humans.
But today times have changed. With population explosion, urbanization and consumerism
catching up, animals are easy prey for human greed. They are soft targets for any one trying to
make a quick buck, and prime candidates for exploitation. Today even healthy, young animals
are killed for leather, meat and tallow. Calves are kept hungry and emaciated, while the cow's
milk is sold in the markets for human consumption. Chicken are kept in cramped batteries, either
for the eggs or for slaughter. Slaughter animals are made to walk thousands of miles to
slaughterhouses, or carted in trucks / tempos packed like sardines, with the result some of them
die of suffocation before they reach their destination. Rhesus monkeys and Dancing Bears
performing on the streets, with hordes of people watching them, is another eye sore in India. The
fear of the baton falling on their backs is clearly visible in their eyes. Same is the case with
thousands of animals performing in the circuses. Research on animals is another major issue that
needs to be tackled. With tremendous pressure from animal welfare groups in the developed

countries, companies are bringing their research work to India, where the laws are not strict and
they can get away with just about anything.
Today even in Metropolitan cities like Mumbai, bullock and pony carts are seen plying alongside
cars and motorbikes; cows and buffaloes, let loose by dairy owners after extracting the milk are
seen loitering or sitting right in the middle of busy streets and eating from the garbage, which
consist of plastic, paper and sometimes even pins, hooks, or battery cells. Similarly donkeys used
for carrying loads are let loose to eat from the garbage dumps. Dogs and cats live on the roads many homeless and some looked after.
It is quite common to see community dogs or cats living in residential colonies. This is because
due to very fast urbanization all the open spaces are getting used up for construction of
residential complexes, and the animals like dogs and cats living on these open areas are getting
displaced. The residents that occupy these residential buildings find these animals to be a
nuisance and want them evicted.
Another victim of urbanization in the city of Mumbai is the Borivali National Park, which is the
only lung of the city, houses plenty of wild animals including the leopards. Perhaps Mumbai is
the only city in the world, where a National Park and a Metropolitan city lie adjacent to each
other. The city has been allowed to grow to such an extent that it has started encroaching into the
National Park. This 'lung' of the heavily polluted Mumbai city, also serves as the catchments area
for rainwater that flows into the lakes supplying water to the Mumbai city. Despite its
importance, unfortunately this National Park is fast becoming smaller and smaller, with the result
leopards have started entering into the residential complexes in search of food and attacking
people.
In this situation, animal welfare in India takes on a whole new meaning. With so many animal
issues and so many animals on the streets, the need of the day is to have several animal welfare
societies in each community, whereas there is only one full fledged hospital in whole Mumbai
city which is not at all sufficient to look after all the sick and injured animals. NGOs who are
running the ABC centers also treat the sick, injured animals or house the abandon animals with
very meager means and facilities. The Government of India is trying to encourage setting up of

an SPCA in each District of the country, but there are few takers. IDA India also has a project on
the agenda to build an animal hospital with latest technology and equipments.
The only ray of hope is the advent of television. Awareness about animal issues and environment
is spreading with youngsters watching channels like Animal Planet, National Geographic and
Discovery. They are becoming aware of the place of animals in our lives and the need to give
them due respect. IDA India hopes to tap the potential of these youngsters for welfare of animals,
and has formed the 'Compassionate Children's Club' IDA India also regularly organized the
animal welfare and awareness programs in schools, collages, and socials groups which is playing
very effective role in bringing wider vision for animal issues among the adult and children.

People behind IDA INDIA:

Fizzah Shah, President

Vivienne Choudhury, Vice President

Dr. Sangeeta Vengsarkar Shah, Hon. Treasurer

Sudnya Patkar, Hon. Secretary

Goodicia Vaidya, Past President

Naina Athale

Dr. H. G. Ghanawat

Sarita Raturi, Atlanta, U.S.A.

Gauri Keskar

Aban Bhote

Dr. Makarand Chavan

Dr. Dinesh Vinherkar

Different Centres of IDA in Mumbai

Deonar Centre started from 1st February 2000:

With the intervention of the Bombay High Ctheirt, the Municipal Corporation handed
over erstwhile Dog pound at Deonar to us on 22nd December 1999. After refurbishing
the place, They started the centre from 1st February 2000, to spay / neuter street animals
and render treatment to ill / injured ones.

.
.

Vashi Centre started from 26th July 2006:

The twin city of Mumbai viz. Navi Mumbai did not have a neutering center for dogs for
several years. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) handed over their erstwhile
Dog Pound to us to start the spay / neuter and render treatment for street animals in Navi
Mumbai. Thus started their second centre from 26th July 2006.

Neral Centre started from 28th August 2006:

Being an eco-sensitive zone, vehicles are not permitted on the hill station of Matheran,
hence Theyak, emaciated horses are used to ferry people and cargo up and down the hill.
While more than 600 horses are working in this region, there is not a single veterinarian
or an animal center in the region. They therefore started this centre to help these animals
Now their staff also holds camps in nearby towns of Kalyan and Titwala, where horses
are used to ferry passengers. Sadly, due to lack of funds, this vital service had to be
stopped in end of April, 2011.

What kind of animals does the group defend?

IDA works to stop cruelty, abuse and exploitation wherever it exists. They protect and defend
any animal in need, wild or domestic. Dogs, cats, farm animals, bison, wild horses, deer,
elephants, chimpanzees, mink, raccoons, rabbits, seals and many more.
How do they allow individuals to become involved in the political process?
They help to educate their members and anyone who comes to their Theybsite about animal
issues and how they can get involved. They have a Theyekly e-newsletter, e-alerts and mailings
that go out to their members enctheiraging them to contact decision makers and sign petitions for
various animal issues. They also support grassroots activist engaging in local protests with
materials, signs, flyers, e-alerts and press releases.
What legislation has IDA passed?
By educating and empoTheyring concerned people to work with their city councils and
government legislators, IDA has enctheiraged 17 cities, 2 counties and the state of Rode Island to
incorporate the term guardian into their city ordinances. A growing number of people,
legislators, humane societies and rescue organizations are replacing the term animal owner
with animal guardian in their city ordnances and literature, recognizing that the term owner
doesnt reflect the human/animal bond that exists in their culture today. Guardian denotes a
higher level of responsibility, caring and respect to their animal companions. It sends a message
that they are much more than mere commodities, objects, property and things. Guardian
accurately describes the appropriate kindness and long term care to ones animal companions,
teaching children respect, compassion and kindness.
IDA was indirectly involved in the passing of the California ban on Foie Gras that goes into
effect in 2012. To produce foie gras, ducks or geese have over ftheir pounds of corn mash forced

down their throats through a long metal pipe until they are on the verge of organ rupture and
death. These animals suffer immensely, can barely move and often vomit and pant for breath.
They also enctheirage their tens of thousands of members to contact legislatures and government
officials on various issues that assist in getting legislation passed.
What is one of the biggest contributions to society IDA has made?
IDA increases the level of justice and compassion to other species, therefore increasing the level
of justice and compassion for their own species. IDA is enctheiraging the replacement of
outdated animal research with new modern technology that are more accurate and more humane.
IDAs vegan campaign promotes a diet that supports health while improving the environment and
reducing greenhouse gasses. From the chimpanzees of Africa to dolphins in Japan to the wild
horses of the American Plains, IDA helps preserve wild animals and their habitats for the
environmental benefit of the planet and for the legacy of their amazing Planet Earth for future
generations to enjoy.
Is IDA an International organization?
IDA is an International organization that aids animals around the world. IDA Africa provides a
forest sanctuary to the chimpanzee victims of the bush meat trade in Cameroon, Africa. IDA
India spays and neuters thousands of street animals in Mumbai, India, as Theyll as providing
them food, ambulance service and veterinary care.
IDA's yearly International Day of Action for Korean Dogs and Cats draws attention to the
suffering of Korean dogs killed for meat consumption. Cramped into cages and slaughtered in
horrific ways, They are a voice for these animals. In fact, there is a myth that the more the animal
suffers when it is killed, the more virility a man will experience when he eats the meat. This
myth has perpetuated the brutal torture of countless dogs killed for their meat.
IDA is part of a coalition of International organizations dedicated to informing the world about
the illegal and immoral slaughter of the intelligent and playful dolphin. Threw the promotion of

the film The Cove and other coalition work, They are exposing the cruel killing of thousands of
dolphins in Taiji, Japan.
What is IDA's goals for the animals?
To create a more just and compassionate world Theyre individuals of other species are respected
and free from human imposed suffering.
What are their primary stheirces of funding?
They are very proud of the fact that IDA is totally funded by thousands of caring people because
They have always refused to compromise their principles by accepting funding from corporate
giants or governmental agencies that exploit and abuse their fellow beings.
And how much of ytheir initial profit goes directly to ytheir campaigns?
Of the money that They take in, 85% goes to the programs and campaigns, 11% goes to
fundraising and 4% goes to general operations.
Are there roles for volunteers within the organization?
Yes, IDA has an active volunteer program. They have volunteers that come into the headquarters
in San Rafael, helping us with everything from putting labels on mailings to organizing files to
other projects. They also have field volunteers all over the country in almost every state. There
are volunteer writers and researchers that help us with press releases, letters to the editors, grant
writing and research projects. They have volunteers that help with administrative work, data
entry, their Theybsite and social networking. They also have dedicated people that leaflet,
protest, organize fundraisers and events and tirelessly work to educate the public about their
campaigns, helping to improve the lives of animals.
How often does IDA hold public events?
They have seven International Days of Action each year, with 50 to 100 cities across the world
participating with protests, leafletings, tables and other educational outreach. They organize a

day for the seals hunted in Canada for their fur in March and World Theyek for Animals in
Laboratories in April. They have an International Day of Action for elephants in June and in July
for dogs and cats in Korea killed for human consumption. They have their World Go Vegan
Theyek in October, Day for Dolphins in September and Fur Free Friday in November.
IDA also has ongoing campaigns throughout the year. They support activist targeting local
animal abusers in their area with literature, posters, e-alerts, and press releases for their protests.
Some examples of these campaigns are foie gras, puppy mills, dog fighting and others.
How heavily is IDA involved in California?
Their International Headquarters is in San Rafael, CA. and They have a strong presence in the
Bay Area sponsoring local events, presenting tables at events and coordinating protests, outreach
actions and fundraisers. They also have an active team in Southern California as Theyll, holding
Theyekly protests and events for puppy mills, fur, vivisection and various other issues.
Organization in terms of staff and members.
They have approximately 35 staff members. Ten work in the San Rafael, CA. headquarters, five
in the Portland, OR. office and the others work from home in other states. They have over 84,000
members worldwide.
What is IDA's Guardian Campaign?
IDA created the Guardian Campaign in 1999 as a nationwide platform to reflect growing public
support for a redefined public standard of relating to animals. Since then, over 40 cities across
the U.S. and Canada and the entire state of Rhode Island now use the term 'guardian' in their
animal-related ordinances.
The term "guardian" is intended as a language update that can supplement and strengthen, not
replace, other animal Theylfare and protection efforts. For example, many professionals have
chosen to use the term "animal guardian" to enhance existing humane education, character
education and juvenile restitution programs. Animal shelters, schools, child and animal Theylfare
organizations, local governments and community groups have also endorsed the term "guardian"

as an inexpensive, enduring educational tool that can help promote adoption and spay/neuter
programs by communicating the value of animal care and protection to the community as a
whole.