Compassion for animals

Sixty-two animal lovers and enthusiasts of all ages visited the Probably Paradise Animal Shelter at Karjat on May 22, 2016. The trip was organized by Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG), the youth wing of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). This safe haven for aged, injured and handicapped animals, located at Takve Village near Karjat, Maharashtra, is run by Roxanne Davur, who was declared Master Trainer in Animal Welfare by the Government of India in 2001. She has been working for and rescuing animals for many years, notes an email received by Parsiana from Homiyar Sachinwalla of ZYNG.

ZYNG members interact with animals; (right): Roxanne Davur

Leaving Bombay at 7 a.m., the group reached the shelter around 10 a.m. Davur introduced the guests to the various four-legged residents and spoke on the dos and don’ts of handling animals, laws against animal abuse, prevention of rabies, etc. After the talk people were free to explore the shelter and spend time playing with the animals. Following a simple vegetarian lunch the young and the young at heart headed towards a stream nearby after which they partook of a soothing cup of tea and bid adieu to the shelter.
This was the first time that the ZYNG team had conceptualized and organized such a trip to raise awareness about the shelter and impart education as well as encourage compassion and respect towards all living beings and the environment. Over 100 animals including dogs, cats, horses and donkeys are housed at the shelter, with the number of animals coming in vastly outnumbering those that are adopted. Funds are required to pay bills, salaries, purchase feed, build sheds, make additions and improvements to existing infrastructure, water tanks, storage bins and most importantly medical supplies. Donations in cash and by cheque were promptly made by many on the spot. To extend support and/or donations, Davur may be contacted by email on terraanima@gmail.com or by telephone on 9623081987.