GIVE.DO is in conversation with Priyanka Bangari of People For Animals Uttarakhand and we are discussing the harsh abuse suffered by stray cats on the streets of India such as beatings, suffocation and being deliberately crushed under vehicles. We also examine the organization’s intervention to rescue and care for these innocent strays by providing shelter, food, medical care and affection.
In this conversation, we learn about the heartbreaking ways that street cats are abused, the mental and physical impact of abuse and abandonment on stray cats, People For Animals Uttarakhand’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts and how you can support their fundraiser to offer lifelong care to cats who are starving, maimed, disabled and in desperate need of a home.
Here are 5 questions with Priyanka Bangari:
1) Too often, stray cats are abused by people. In what ways do stray cats suffer on the streets?
Community cats endure unimaginable hardships on the streets. They constantly struggle to find shelter and food, often scavenging in unsafe and unhygienic places. Many face brutal abuse from people who may throw stones or worse, just because they view them as nuisances. In addition, these vulnerable cats are at a high risk of being hit by vehicles, attacked by dogs, or contracting diseases from poor living conditions. It’s heartbreaking to see how many suffer in silence, with no one to care for them or offer protection. Their lives become a daily battle for survival, with constant hunger, fear and insecurity.
2) What is the mental and emotional impact on stray cats as a result of abuse, abandonment or separation from their families?
The emotional toll of abandonment and abuse on cats is profound. They are highly sensitive animals who, like humans, experience fear, anxiety, and trauma. When a cat is abandoned or separated from its family, they can become confused, lonely and depressed. Abuse leaves lasting scars, not just physically but mentally as well-many rescued cats remain wary of human touch long after the abuse has stopped. These emotional wounds make it hard for them to trust again. In some cases, they retreat into themselves, becoming withdrawn and fearful. It is devastating to witness the emotional suffering they endure due to human cruelty or neglect.
3) How does People For Animals Uttarakhand help stray cats?
At People for Animals Uttarakhand, we strive to offer community cats the care, protection, and love they so desperately need. Our sanctuary, Happy home, is a safe haven where these cats can finally find peace. We provide them with medical care, nutritious food, and a comfortable, secure environment to recover from the hardships they’ve faced. Beyond just physical healing, we give them the time and attention needed to regain their trust in people, helping them overcome the trauma they have endured. Every cat in our care is treated as an individual, and our goal is to find them loving homes. We also provide medical treatment, deworming and sterilisation of these cats.
4) When people support People For Animals Uttarakhand’s fundraiser, how will this help stray cats in need?
Your support directly changes the lives of these neglected cats. Every donation helps us provide food, medical care, and shelter for the 71 cats currently living at Happy Home. The funds raised also allow us to rescue more cats from the street, giving them a chance at a better life. With your help, we can build more enclosures, expand our veterinary services, and ensure that every cat gets the love and care they deserve. Your contribution isn’t just a donation-it’s a lifeline for these cats, helping them escape the dangerous conditions of street life and giving them hope for a future filled with kindness and compassion. We also hold medical camps for deworming and sterilisation of the inmates.
5) Is there a book or documentary you recommend for people to learn more about this issue?
If you are looking to understand more about the plight of community animals, particularly cats, I would recommend the documentary Kedi. It beautifully captures the lives of homeless cats in Istanbul and highlights their interactions with the city’s residents, showing both the challenges they face and the deep connections they can form with humans. For a literary option, The Cats of Istanbul by Jillian Becker offers a compelling insight into the lives of community cats, their resilience, and the role we can all play in making their lives better.
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We encourage you to watch this short video of Priyanka explaining the harsh lives of stray cats and understand how the People For Animals Uttarakhand team rescues and cares for these abused and abandoned animals:
With your support, Priyanka Bangari and People For Animals Uttarakhand can rescue more helpless cats from the dangerous streets of India and give them a warm and loving home. To join their mission:
Support People For Animals Uttarakhand
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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