Help animals, birds beat summer heat with water bowls

The public are urged to put water bowls out for the animals, which the Blue Cross of India (BCI) has already started distributing.

Stating that they have already distributed 475 bowls in the past two weeks, Dawn Williams, Managing Director, BCI, said, “We are going to get 125 more bowls on Saturday. While many come to the organisation and collect the bowls, many others, especially homemakers, request that bowls be distributed at their homes, which will be done by our volunteers.” 

Not necessarily animal lovers but also many others take part in the initiative out of empathy for animals. “They are not animal lovers, but they understand the heat is terrible,” he said, requesting the public to avoid putting the bowls on terraces but beside tree trunks so that they water remains cool. 

Earlier, BCI was the only organisation that took up such an initiative. Now, most NGOs have also taken up the water bowl initiative to help the furry and feathery friends. “We started distributing the bowls in 2013 and we distribute it only in May. Every year, we give more than 200 bowls and are expecting more people to come forward this year. With so many NGOs taking up the initiative, awareness has increased,” said Arun Prasanna, Founder, People for Cattle in India. 

Though 200 bowls are not enough for the whole city, he said that it was a symbol of carrying it forward. “We provide large bowls for cattle as well. We have seen that many people, including shopkeepers, keep small bowls outside their shops to help the animals beat the heat.” 

Urging the public to come forward and take up this initiative, he said, “While putting out water bowls is important, certain things need to be followed. Avoid keeping the bowls in public places like pathways where there is always a crowd. Also, the water needs to be changed every day to avoid algae.”