Standing by starved strays
Animal lovers in Chattogram have been busy arranging and distributing meals for stray cats and dogs -- who have been starving as shops and restaurants remain closed -- to different areas of the city and adjacent areas.
They said they started their activities since the countrywide lockdown started on April 5.
"After the lockdown started, stray animals have been facing severe hardship, as dining in hotels and restaurants remain halted," said activist Usha Acharjee to The Daily Star. "These animals mainly depend on leftover food from hotels and restaurants."
A lawyer by profession, Usha is also co-founder of Social and Animal Activists Foundation. Since April 5, she has been distributing food across Chattogram Court Hill, Cherhai Pahar Intersection, Bridge Ghat, and more.
"I see it as my duty to help animals because they cannot voice their right to food."
Iyana Haque, another co-founder of Social and Animal Activists Foundation, said, "It is our duty to serve those beings who cannot manage their food on their own.
"We first surveyed different areas to figure out where our help is needed the most," Usha said of their work process.
"The food is prepared at our volunteers' homes, from where we pick them up for distribution," she added.
Volunteers of Animal Care of Chattogram have also been busy distributing food for stray animals in Chattogram Sea Beach, Naval Academy Road, Bahaddarhat, and other areas.
Sumi Biswas, founder of the organisation, said they have been distributing food to around 200 animals every day since the lockdown started.
"We do this during regular times too. But during the lockdowns, we ramp up operations," Sumi told this correspondent. "We're trying to ensure no stray animals dies from the lack of food."
"In an interconnected urban ecosystem, the survival of animals like dogs, cats, and crows are necessary for our survival too," she said.
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