Kerala: Neta's ire, poor funds have PFA stop rescue

Thiruvananthapuram: People for Animals (PFA) Thiruvananthapuram chapter has been forced to take a stand not to rescue any more strays and abandoned dogs/cats. This is due to shortage of funds and the ongoing protests by G. Pankajakshan, a local Congress politician, to close PFA’s shelter on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram city at Valiyarathala in Malayinkeezhu panchayat.

DC had reported on Christmas Day how PFA activists were at the receiving end after locals led by Pankajakshan had prevented them from entering their premises when they had come with five rescued dogs. Since then things have not been smooth for PFA activists.

On Thursday, PFA was forced to post on their Facebook page that they were not going to carry out anymore rescues unless faced with dogs which were gravely injured or in need of immediate medical attention. They told DC that it was due to the shortage of resources and ongoing issues that the shelter was facing from the politician who had incited locals to carry out a strike in front of the shelter.

“We also have stopped rescue of puppies from the street due to lack of space to quarantine puppies, and will not be having our regular adoption drives at Shanghumugham Beach for the coming two months, and only vaccinated puppies will be given in adoption from our shelter”, says the Facebook post.

Latha Indira, trustee of PFA told DC that she and her volunteers were spending more time to tackle the issue posed by the local Congress leader than taking an active role in the welfare of the rescued dogs and cats. “On Friday, the locals have put posters outside our shelter at Malayinkeezhu. It’s getting tougher to work day by day. We are unable to enter our premises after 6 pm where they allege that our volunteers are coming for immoral activities”, said a peeved Latha Indira.