Here's a chotu guide to help you care for your community dogs better: 

 

Some cheap and healthy homemade recipes for your community dogs- 

 

• Boiled Rice + Eggs + Veggie Scraps (Cauliflower, Spinach, Pumpkin, Carrots and Potatoes), you can add some dry kibble to increase the quantity of the food. 

• Chicken/Mutton Scraps (your local butcher might sell them for as low as Rs. 50 for a kilo), wash and pressure cook them properly with some turmeric. Serve with rotis, dalia or rice. If your budget permits then you can simply give them some yummy chicken/mutton and rice. Make sure to remove all bones, as cooked bones can become brittle and easily splinter while eating. They may become a choking hazard. 

• Soya Chunks + Rice or Rotis are a quick and easy source of protein, remember to cook them properly. 

• Rice and Curd for warm summer days, add some fruits like apples (no seeds), watermelons and bananas for some extra fibre and nutrients. Top this meal with some flax seeds for some extra omega and fatty acids. 

• You may be tempted to give them Parle-g biscuits, they are cheap and dogs seem to enjoy them a lot. A much healthier alternative is Marie or any low-sugar biscuit.  

• To keep their fur healthy and happy you can add a tbs of olive oil or store-bought salmon oil for some much-needed omega-3s.  

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Kindly note that dogs are omnivores, they require some form of protein. Be it plant or animal-derived. 

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OR 

 

If all this sound a little daunting, the easiest way to care for your community dogs is by putting out an earthen bowl in front of your house - you can fill it up with dry kibble (hydrate it with water, bone broth or milk) once or twice a day and watch cute puppers fill their tummies. This activity will barely take 10-15 mins out of your day but this small act of kindness will make sure no dog in your area sleeps on an empty stomach. Don’t forget to designate a separate earthen bowl for water. 

 

Why Earthen Bowls? 

• They are cheap, don’t require much maintenance and keep whatever is served in them cool. Kindly make sure not to clean them with dish soap as clay is extremely porous. 

 

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1. None can be truly prepared for an emergency, but its always a good idea to have some basics: 

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First-Aid Kit: 

1. Dettol/Savlon

2. Betadine 

3. Micropore/Medical Tape 

4. Gauze 

5. Scissors

6. Hand Sanitizer 

7. Gloves 

8. DMag Spray 

9. Neosporin Powder 

10. Paracetmol, Avil, Neomec and Liv 52 

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For fleas and ticks use an over-the-counter spot-on pipette every six months or look for a spray-on deterrent made with neem oil. Although ticks mainly remain active throughout - March to Nov, it's never too safe to take these precautionary measures. Tick infestations can result in serious complications like tick fever. 

Deworm adult dogs every 3 months and for pups contact your vet. 

 

For more in-depth information, check out the PFA website. 

 

2. Form a community, connect with like-minded people, find your local veterinarian and stay in touch with them regarding vaccinations (make sure to cover the big 4 - Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Hepatitis) and other medical emergencies. 

 

3. Spay and neuter. Find out the benefits here.

 

4. Find your local animal rescue/shelter and volunteer with them, they are always looking for helping hands, and this could be a fulfilling weekend activity with your friends. On-ground experiences will truly prepare you for any and all hurdles. 

5. For information regarding their and your rights, check out this link. 

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