A first of its kind shelter home for animals was inaugurated at district veterinary hospital which was initiated by Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), here on Saturday.
The shelter home was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) SPCA president, Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan.
Speaking at the programme, the DC congratulated the initiative of SPCA who took the initiative despite fewer resources and financial grudges and yet, mastered all their efforts.
He said that the shelter for animals was the urgent need of the hour and that the veterinary hospital, Dimapur was grateful to have provided a space for it.
DC also gave a brief background of proposal for establishing a full-fledged animal shelter in Dimapur and informed that in 2020, the chief secretary entrusted him to find a plot of land for the establishment of animal shelter.
In this regard, he said that in the month of August, 2020, the veterinary department was kind enough to spare the plot for the establishing the shelter.
He informed that the formalities and project details for establishing the animal shelter in Dimapur were in progress.
Rajesh Soundararajan said that the awareness of legal provision governing the cruelty towards animals among general public was either nil or minimal and people were less bothered about it.
He said that many think they can exercise cruelty against animal and the sad part was that they could go about freely.
He said that the people must give importance to prevention of cruelty to animals and make others aware that selling of meat was legalised but cruelty towards animal was not.
He urged the gathering to spread awareness and organised sensitisation campaigns regarding legal provisions on prevention of cruelty to animal and also put effective enforcement regarding laws.
Delivering the keynote address, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals vice president N Joseph Lemtur briefed about the formation of the society. He shared that with the contribution of well-wishers, the shelter home was built at the cost of Rs. 1, 50,000.
Joseph said that the home was set up near the veterinary hospital for temporary till SPCA finds a better area and suitable place to expand it.
Short speeches were also delivered by veterinary surgeon and president Nagaland veterinary association Dr. KN Humtsoe and DMC public health centre, deputy director Dr. Sentinungla who lauded the initiative of SPCA for providing facilities for abandoned, ailing pets and attempting to find homes for homeless animals and reunite lost pets with their families.
The programme was chaired by SPCA executive secretary Marian Rao, invocation prayer was proposed by DABA pastor reverend Lima Jamir and benediction was said Neighbourhood Hindi Church, pastor reverend Daniel Shayan.
Later, vote of thanks was delivered by ADCP (crime) and vice president SPCA ex-officio Relo T Aye.
It may be mentioned that the veterinary department offered SPCA a temporary place at the Vety hospital Burma camp. The home can host seven dogs at present.
Despite financial constraints, a member said that the shelter was been built from donations by SPCA members and other pet lovers.
“Though there are lots to be done with the shelter, we decided to inaugurate it today, so that abandoned or homeless dogs or cats can have a roof over their heads and be taken care of temporarily”, the member stated.