Animal lovers form WhatsApp groups, aid BBMP in rescue ops

Many animal lovers have formed WhatsApp groups, and are helping the BBMP in animal rescue operations.

The municipal authorities also rope them in to carry out animal vaccination drives.

Some active groups are: We Are Here to Serve, Blue Cross, Hand, Animal Rescue Bangalore, Indie Harbours, We Rescue Animals and We Save Animals.

Their members, some of them students, shelter and care for rescued animals as they recover from injuries.

The groups have hundreds of members from diverse backgrounds.

Praveen L, who started We Rescue Animals in 2013, said so far they have vaccinated over 800 stray animals and rescued more than 600 injured dogs. Over 300 animals have also been buried, he said.

Hari, a member of All India Animal Lovers, said apart from rescuing animals, they are also attending to cases of animal cruelty where they counsel owners.

Gautam, who is part of We Are Here to Serve, is not part of any WhatsApp group, but gets calls from active group members. "We exclusively handle cattle in distress. Our team members go to the spot and treat these animals," he said.

Girish Anjenappa, a volunteer, is part of several groups and actively update pictures and location of animals in distress.

Dr G Anand, BBMP joint director (animal husbandry), said there are many animal lovers in the city who want to help in the rescue activities.

"We take help from volunteers when we cannot attend to all the cases. As the BBMP does not have a hospital, help from these volunteers comes as a blessing," he said.