Stray Animals to be Cared for….
The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character. Animals are a source of joy and happiness. Though they cannot speak but they express a lot through their actions. We as humans must respect everything thing that lives and continue to do our bit for them.
Birth of PAL
Aditi Nair, the founder of Pet owners and Animal Lovers Foundation (PAL) started the concept of an NGO while she was pursuing her MBA. Her passion and love for animals has made her a pal to the animals who don’t get the love they deserve. Her research on the pet sector made her realize there are lot of strays who do not receive attention. She visited a number of states to research on the same and did a lot of volunteer work. She was also a part of the Tata Jagriti Yatra where she had an opportunity to understand how various organisations work. Starting from Kerala, she moved to Karnataka, Goa, Orissa, Rajasthan and many more to learn and research about animal shelters across India.
“After I came back to Mumbai, I realized I have to start something by myself to give these animals a better life to live” the words quoted by Aditi.
PAL started in November 2010 and got registered in the year 2014.It started as a small group and a number of Facebook events which encouraged people to join the movement. It started with events then moved on to rescues, adoptions and awareness programs.
Hierarchy of the organization
PAL’s model of running is very different from that of the other NGOs. It’s more of a volunteer based model. The board and trust have eight members but the volunteers are more than hundred. Aditi is the chair person, Dr. Arundati Nair is the vice chairperson, Dr. Hemant Thange is the secretary, Neha Dabir is the head of adoptions and Nishant Bangera is the spokesperson. PAL does its publicity mostly through Facebook and word of mouth.
Outstanding events ….
“Our focus is more on awareness and to create a human - animal bond which will give the animals a better world to live in” quoted by Aditi.
PAL has done 7000 rescues, 600 adoption and above 100 awareness programs in schools and colleges like Billabong International School, Father Agnel Ashram, Welingkar, Bhartiya vidyapeeth, etc. PAL works in many sectors like rescue, adoptions, awareness programs as well as the medical sector. It even tries to handle cruelty cases in case possible.
Bringing a change and creating an awareness in the peoples is their main forte.
PAL has helped to change the mindset of people by encouraging them to try having a pet at home by the concept of Foster an animal for few days. This help the people to get over their animal fears.
Nandini, a 13 years old is one of the volunteers of PAL as well as an adopter of Rex who is a cross breed dog has given her views by saying “ Before being associated with PAL officially, I had heard about them through social media. I witnessed their forwarded posts and started following them
on Facebook. I adopted Rex from them. Rex was rescued by Neha Dabir and after his treatment, I decided to adopt him and give him a home. Neha guided me and helped me as I have never had a pet before. After a complete house check and acceptance of my family Neha handed me Rex’s custody. She even helped me with the registration and now I am a happy parent of Rex Kannan who is a part of my small family”.
Backlogs….
Though PAL is a very efficient NGO in Thane city it’s still has some negative aspects. PAL is only working in Thane city and the rescues, feeding programs, events are restricted to Thane City. They do not take up cruelty as their main forte as they do not have any legal advisors to handle such cases. One of the volunteers Viraj Sawant has said “PAL is mostly active only in Vasant Vihar, Sidhachal, Upvan and nearby places .They are not able to stretch to other areas because of the lack of volunteers. A committed team is a backlog for the NGO. PAL also has a shortage of funds because of which they cannot tap many areas.”
Unless people take up responsibility these backlogs cannot be overcome. According to Aditi funds are very important for an NGO to achieve it's objectives. Aditi’s solution to these backlogs is to arrange more events which will encourage people to join in and become a volunteer and increase the volunteer base to be able to expand operations.
Future Growth Aspects
As they are just a five year old organization there are a lot of growth aspects which can be considered for the future. Expanding their jurisdiction from Thane to other places in Mumbai and rural areas is one of their future plans. “Rural area is one such area which is never tapped by anyone. It’s our motive to educate the people of the rural area and give the animals a better life in those areas” a thoughtful future plan by Aditi. Apart from expansion, tapping other aspects such as cruelty is also one of the future plans. Building up a powerful organization and helping to spread awareness at larger scales is one of their main motives.
Love for animals..
“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened” - Anatole France. Our small furry friends should be cared for and treated well, this is the main motive of PAL. Animals are very faithful and loyal. Animals come from nature. They are not designed by man.
The article is written by one of the PAL Members, Ayesha John Kelshikar. Ayesha is 22 years old and studying MBA in Whistling Woods International. Her family is a foster family with PAL and she volunteers for all the PAL events regularly. She is also currently pursuing a managerial internship with the NGO.
The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character. Animals are a source of joy and happiness. Though they cannot speak but they express a lot through their actions. We as humans must respect everything thing that lives and continue to do our bit for them.
Birth of PAL
Aditi Nair, the founder of Pet owners and Animal Lovers Foundation (PAL) started the concept of an NGO while she was pursuing her MBA. Her passion and love for animals has made her a pal to the animals who don’t get the love they deserve. Her research on the pet sector made her realize there are lot of strays who do not receive attention. She visited a number of states to research on the same and did a lot of volunteer work. She was also a part of the Tata Jagriti Yatra where she had an opportunity to understand how various organisations work. Starting from Kerala, she moved to Karnataka, Goa, Orissa, Rajasthan and many more to learn and research about animal shelters across India.
“After I came back to Mumbai, I realized I have to start something by myself to give these animals a better life to live” the words quoted by Aditi.
PAL started in November 2010 and got registered in the year 2014.It started as a small group and a number of Facebook events which encouraged people to join the movement. It started with events then moved on to rescues, adoptions and awareness programs.
Hierarchy of the organization
PAL’s model of running is very different from that of the other NGOs. It’s more of a volunteer based model. The board and trust have eight members but the volunteers are more than hundred. Aditi is the chair person, Dr. Arundati Nair is the vice chairperson, Dr. Hemant Thange is the secretary, Neha Dabir is the head of adoptions and Nishant Bangera is the spokesperson. PAL does its publicity mostly through Facebook and word of mouth.
Outstanding events ….
“Our focus is more on awareness and to create a human - animal bond which will give the animals a better world to live in” quoted by Aditi.
PAL has done 7000 rescues, 600 adoption and above 100 awareness programs in schools and colleges like Billabong International School, Father Agnel Ashram, Welingkar, Bhartiya vidyapeeth, etc. PAL works in many sectors like rescue, adoptions, awareness programs as well as the medical sector. It even tries to handle cruelty cases in case possible.
Bringing a change and creating an awareness in the peoples is their main forte.
PAL has helped to change the mindset of people by encouraging them to try having a pet at home by the concept of Foster an animal for few days. This help the people to get over their animal fears.
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| PAL Members at a Vaccination Camp in Matunga, Mumbai |
on Facebook. I adopted Rex from them. Rex was rescued by Neha Dabir and after his treatment, I decided to adopt him and give him a home. Neha guided me and helped me as I have never had a pet before. After a complete house check and acceptance of my family Neha handed me Rex’s custody. She even helped me with the registration and now I am a happy parent of Rex Kannan who is a part of my small family”.
Backlogs….
Though PAL is a very efficient NGO in Thane city it’s still has some negative aspects. PAL is only working in Thane city and the rescues, feeding programs, events are restricted to Thane City. They do not take up cruelty as their main forte as they do not have any legal advisors to handle such cases. One of the volunteers Viraj Sawant has said “PAL is mostly active only in Vasant Vihar, Sidhachal, Upvan and nearby places .They are not able to stretch to other areas because of the lack of volunteers. A committed team is a backlog for the NGO. PAL also has a shortage of funds because of which they cannot tap many areas.”
Unless people take up responsibility these backlogs cannot be overcome. According to Aditi funds are very important for an NGO to achieve it's objectives. Aditi’s solution to these backlogs is to arrange more events which will encourage people to join in and become a volunteer and increase the volunteer base to be able to expand operations.
 |
| PAL Team after running a marathon to raise awareness for animals |
As they are just a five year old organization there are a lot of growth aspects which can be considered for the future. Expanding their jurisdiction from Thane to other places in Mumbai and rural areas is one of their future plans. “Rural area is one such area which is never tapped by anyone. It’s our motive to educate the people of the rural area and give the animals a better life in those areas” a thoughtful future plan by Aditi. Apart from expansion, tapping other aspects such as cruelty is also one of the future plans. Building up a powerful organization and helping to spread awareness at larger scales is one of their main motives.
Love for animals..
“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened” - Anatole France. Our small furry friends should be cared for and treated well, this is the main motive of PAL. Animals are very faithful and loyal. Animals come from nature. They are not designed by man.
The article is written by one of the PAL Members, Ayesha John Kelshikar. Ayesha is 22 years old and studying MBA in Whistling Woods International. Her family is a foster family with PAL and she volunteers for all the PAL events regularly. She is also currently pursuing a managerial internship with the NGO.
