AMTM: Stray Animal Welfare in Mumbai
AMTM: Stray Animal Welfare in Mumbai
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AMTM faced several challenges including the lack of funds, strict COVID-19 guidelines, and increased abandonment of pets, along with misinformation leading to cruelty towards strays. To address these, they continued their operations by shifting feeding schedules to midnight due to guidelines, relied heavily on partnerships with organizations like Royal Canine for food supplies, and made persistent efforts to raise funds through social media and networks to maintain their rescue and rehabilitation activities .
AMTM approaches pet abandonment by encouraging adoptions, promoting the message that every animal deserves a home. They actively respond to calls of abandoned animals, often dealing with cases of neglect due to disabilities. Public perception, often influenced by misinformation, plays a major role as it impacts abandonment rates and necessitates AMTM's continuous community outreach and education about responsible pet ownership and the non-involvement of animals in spreading COVID-19 .
AMTM’s work is significant as it addresses the welfare of stray and abandoned animals, who often face neglect and abuse due to societal stigma and misinformation. This NGO provides critical services such as adoption, medical care, and feeding programs, challenging negative perceptions and promoting humane treatment. Their efforts during the pandemic underscore the importance of supporting vulnerable animal populations in urban environments, fostering community awareness and empathy .
AMTM leverages community and corporate partnerships by collaborating with organizations such as Royal Canine for food supplies, utilizing CSR initiatives for support, and engaging with individuals through social media platforms to gather donations required for continuing their rescue, treatment, and feeding programs. These partnerships are crucial for resource provision and in augmenting their reach and impact in animal welfare .
The pandemic strained AMTM's financial resources, limiting their ability to fund treatments for strays. They struggled with fundraising as individual donations declined due to wider financial instability. To mitigate this, AMTM used social media to solicit donations, emphasizing transparency in their needs and leveraging partnerships for resource procurement to sustain their operations .
AMTM adapted their feeding program by shifting the feeding times from morning to midnight due to the new COVID-19 guidelines and local community responses, which did not permit feeding strays during the daytime .
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted AMTM financially, leading them to vacate their rehabilitation facility in Malad West due to an inability to afford high rentals. This situation threatened their operational capacity as they faced the risk of the animals becoming homeless without a new facility .
AMTM maintained an effective adoption process during COVID-19, which demonstrated resilience and dedication. Despite challenges, they promoted the adoption of indie dogs and continued placements into forever homes, showcasing their adaptability and the strength of their community engagement. Their efficiency during this time was aided by clear communication and robust processes to encourage potential adopters to provide for needy animals .
Misinformation during COVID-19, such as the false belief that animals could spread the virus, led to increased cruelty towards strays and abandonment of pets. This misinformation fueled panic, leading to behavior changes like hitting and shooing away strays, complicating AMTM’s rescue efforts and necessitating increased intervention. The social implications included heightened mistrust and fear towards animals, making community engagement and educational efforts more crucial for AMTM .
AMTM imparts several societal lessons, such as the importance of serving others selflessly, raising financial support for those in need, and promoting values like kindness and prosperity. They stress the critical role of not succumbing to rumors, which is essential for collective well-being, demonstrated by their work with animals during the pandemic .