NGOs' appeal to citizens: Keep water bowls out for animals, birds

With the temperatures soaring for the past one week, NGOs involved in animal rescue have not only been rescuing several birds hit by heat stroke, but have also been urging Mumbaikars to help the strays and birds keep cool by putting out water bowls.

"Over the last few days we have got several cases of dehydrated birds being reported, mostly pigeons and a high number of kites, because they fly at higher altitudes and hence face a bigger risk of being affected by sunstroke. Most kites fall due to dehydration. If someone finds such a bird, the best thing to do is to give it water," said Sunish Subramanian Kunju, secretary, PAWS-Mumbai.

He added that while they have been asking citizens to keep water bowls for stray dogs, cats and birds, a lot of people have already begun doing it, keeping water outside their balconies as well as shops. "We encourage people to keep water in earthen pots as it remains cool in it unlike aluminium or steel vessels, which get hot quickly," said Kunju.

A businessman from Bandra, Nilesh Shah, said he has started keeping water bowls outside the windows at his office as well as home. "Several sparrows, pigeons and even parakeets have been visiting and quenching their thirst. I have also taken pictures of them drinking water and forwarded them to several of my friends on our social media groups, asking them to do the same," he added.

On how to take care of pets to save them from the October heat, Dr Manish Pingle, a Borivli-based veterinarian, said, "Dogs are extremely prone to getting a heatstroke as they lack sweat glands. Hence, they should be cared for well when temperatures rise. They should be given free access to drinking water regularly and should not be taken for walks when the sun is overbearing."

Officials from the Byculla zoo and Sanjay Gandhi National Park too have increased their animals' water intake.