Animal Welfare: a Growing Global Issue 2012 ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA Compassion for all life was a sacred Dharma in India The Buddha, Mahavira , saints and sages taught ‘Ahimsa’ , the way of no harm to any living creature. Animal Welfare in modern India The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 Social Animal Welfare Consciousness Board of India Advisory to State Governments Rukmini Devi Arundale Animal Welfare Board of India . Advisory body to State Government . Protection of animals from cruelty . Financial assistance for Animal Welfare Activities funded by the Animal Welfare Board of India ABC Program & Rabies Control Ambulance ,Rescues & Treatment Construction of Relief in natural disasters animal shelters Humane Education Programs Some Animal Protection Laws The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Transportation of Animals Rules Municipal Laws CPCSEA Rules Cinematograph Act Wildlife Protection Act Animals suffer silently in our… . Homes . Streets . Pounds . Farms . Dairies . Laboratories . Circuses . Zoos . Forests “All Animals are sentient beings… And whether they are domesticated or wild, used in the production of food, for science, sport , entertainment or any other; they deserve freedom from cruelty.” The Constitution of India Article 51A (g) Part IVA The Fundamental Duties “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.” Animals contribute greatly to rural economy Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 Section 11 (a) Beating, kicking, over- driving, over-loading, torturing or causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal Section 11(1)b Employing ill or old animals for labour Indian Penal Code Negligent Conduct with Respect to an Animal Mischief by Killing or Maiming Animal ` Upto 5 Years Imprisonment Intimidation Anyone who intimidates a person taking care of stray Animal is liable for criminal intimidation and can be arrested without a warrant. Police Acts Empower Police Officers with respect to offences under the PCA Act, 1960 or WPA, 1972 Empower Police Officers with respect to offences otherwise. For e.g. when a cow is left tied on the road for hours together State Laws – enacted and enforced by various States Welcome to the city!! Stray Animal Control Rules 2001 1 Breeding pair of dogs = 2000 homeless animals Animal Birth Control & Anti Rabies Vaccination (ABC-AR) Programme for Stray Dogs Do’s and Don’ts with Dogs How to behave around animals.. Factory Farming of Animals for Food Battery Hens India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights The Five Freedoms are • Freedom from hunger and thirst • Freedom from pain and discomfort • Freedom from injury and disease • Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior • Freedom from fear and distress The Modern Animal Welfare Movement was spearheaded by visionaries, thinkers and healers What is Humane? Can we think, support, become humane? Dairy Cattle Veal Calves Draught and Pack Animals Laws that Apply Prevention of Cruelty to Draught & Pack Animals Rules, 1965 Section 6: Conditions for Use of Draught & Pack Animals Section 11: Rights of Police Officers Section 7: Disengagement of Animals after work Section 8: Prohibition of Use of Spiked Bits Section 9: Saddling of Horses Transportation Humane Treatment of Animals before and during Slaughter Government run slaughter houses do not follow humane slaughter rules Salient Features for Humane Slaughter of Animals . One animal must not be killed in front of the other . The animals must be stunned and completely unconscious before slaughter . Proper training for all Slaughter House Employees (handlers, transporters, butchers, etc) must be conducted. Only a trained , licensed butcher must be permitted to slaughter animals Cattle are considered wealth in our country. Gowshalas and Pinjarapoles protect cattle. 1.0 MW power project based on cattle dung at Haebowal Dairy Complex Ludhiana, Punjab Global Warming!! You can reduce your carbon foot print! A Vegetarian diet is better for you, better for the animals and better for the Planet! In a World with Global Warming post COP15 “Forests are the single most viable , economic, time tested solution to Global Warming.” Stern report The State of Indian foreststrees planted. Photo: Pranab Dhar / Sanctuary Photolibrary The state of our wildlife, displaced populations . Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Schedules I,II,III & IV list different protected species, the killing or trade of which is prohibited. Schedule VI lists protected plants Schedule I Offence : 6 years in prison + fine of Rs.25,000. Rules for protected areas Applicable all over India except J&K Hunting, capturing & trapping of wildlife is prohibited If not poached for ivory, elephants end up in the Circus Wild animals suffer in Captivity They belong in the wild! Zoo Animals Law that applies: WPA Section 38-J: Teasing animals in the zoo brings imprisonment up to 3yrs or 25,000Rs. fine CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. Regulates international trade in endangered species & export-import of endangered species between member Countries- species Authority- Directorate of CITES & officers of the WPA Performing Animals Rules . Pet Shop Rules . Illegal trade of Exotic Pets and wildlife . Role of the DRI and Customs Cruelty in the name of Vanity Experimentation on animals CPCSEA Rules CPCSEA Ethics Committees 4 R’s Reduce Refine Replace Rehabilitate Soul Searching . We are basically a compassionate species . We are in the midst of the greatest extinction process in the history of earth to the largest number of species by mankind… . Our survival depends on coexistence with our animal friends, so let us commit ourselves to make the change ! Evolution of the Human Race “The morality of a Nation is judged by the way its people treat their animals”. Mahatma Gandhi The next time you see common cruelties… Speak up for the animal! Call you local ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICE What you can do…. Join your local animal welfare group or start a community animal welfare effort . Give this presentation in your community. Sign up to volunteer for the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights today! . Report sick and injured animals - support animal rescues & learn first aid for animals People for Animals Get actively involved! Have your local strays sterilized and vaccinated against Rabies Speak up against atrocities on animals. Learn how to book FIR’s, collect evidence for prosecution. Stand up for the cause of animals! Campaign to help prevent mass scale cruelty to animals Provide food, water and shelter for local wild birds and homeless animals Be an informed and conscious Consumer Demand humane practices in the handling of animals Always look at the label before you buy, use or wear something Never use cosmetics tested on animals Try going Vegan or Vegetarian for a week Choose available alternatives that haven’t exploited animals e.g. Pleather vs. leather Promote adoption . Never breed or buy when homeless animals die! . Adopt a homeless animal from your local shelter . Donate money to help animals on birthdays and anniversaries Practice to be Eco Friendly Avoid the use of poisons in The three R’s: the home and garden; use non toxic alternatives •Reduce •Reuse Plant trees that feed local •Recycle birds and animals Recycle garbage, and avoid the use of plastic disposables Carry your own water bottle and shopping bag to avoid plastic ones Thank you!! Credits . Dr.Chinny Krishna AWBI . C.P.Ramaswamy Foundation . Shri Hiranmay Karlekar . Jayasimha (Humane Society International) . Blue Cross of Hyderabad . People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals . Sharan & Dr.Nanditha Shah . Maya Aripirala . Animal Welfare Board of India Blue Cross Wish List . Join the Golden Fund for animals and donate rupees 500 every month to help animals. Donate a bag of Pedigree for shelter dogs (Rs.950) . Donate Puppy Pet food (1 large bag costs Rs.1000) . Donate Cat food, cat play toys and carry baskets. For birds, monkeys and rabbits : Vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains . For Cattle and Equines: Kutti-Busa (dry feed) 20,000 per month or Green Grass for the gowshala: 25,000 per month Wish list 2 . Donate towards Medicines per month: Rs. 1,00,000/- . Donate towards Rescue Ambulances running cost per month: Rs. 35,000/- . Sponsor a shelter animal: Small animal Rs.3000/-, Large animal Rs.6000/- . Sponsor a Veterinary Camp in a slum: Rs.25,000/- .