From Businessmen To Hospital Founder
‘HELP Animals & Birds Hospital’ in Mumbai is one of the few charitable hospitals in the city focusing specially on stray animals. It was started by Jayesh Shah a businessmen whose fondness for animals led to inception of this hospital.
Jayesh Shah founder – HELP Animals & Birds Hospital’
An incident compelled Shah to do something for animals. On October 23, 2013, after finishing work Shah was shutting the office when he noticed a dog was curling herself inside the office workshop. As it was raining heavily he did not feel like shooing her away. On a closer inspection he noticed the dog was protecting her two newborn.
Days passed but the dog did not move out and made the office her home. One day Shah locked her out of the gate. After the dog was chased away by local miscreants and did not return. Shah started searching for her realising that the dog wouldn’t be able to survive for long. Dogs are habitual to stay in territorial surroundings. “The guilt of letting go of the dog I started distributing pamphlets with her picture. During the course I met many wonderful animal lovers who tried to help me,” said Shah.
He realised that there are many others as well who share the same passion for animals. The fact that not all stray animals are welcomed by people and their welfare mostly ignored. He wanted to contribute towards welfare of stray animals. Recalling encounters in life during his search, he talks about how even beggars who struggled for their own daily bread would feed stray dogs and sleep on empty stomach. “We as humans have the ability to think about others welfare and consciously make a decision of helping each other. I feel it is our moral responsibility to take care of the needy,” exclaims Shah.
In August 2014 the work started for converting the 1,000 square feet office into an animal hospital which was inaugurated in January 2015. Treatment of stray animals and birds is done free of cost. On an average around two to three stray dogs who have been injured are brought to the hospital each day. With a capacity to accommodate 40 stray dogs in different kennels, the hospital also has an operation theatre, an outpatient department and an area for dogs & cats. “Through this hospital we aim to provide medical services to stray animals. Also we try to create social awareness about animals and try to get them adopted in responsible homes,” said Shah explaining the objective behind the hospital.
More than 50% of the animals brought in the hospital are injured in road accidents. Mumbai being overpopulated, stray animals face issues of limited open space. With many housing societies shooing the animals away, the strays have few options to live in a safe environment. Many newborn puppies die each day on roads as they get crushed under the wheels of vehicles. The lucky few who survive often become disabled for life.
The hospital currently has a capacity of 40 kennels for treatment of animals. Stray dogs that are not in condition to survive in the open are kept and fed by the organisation even after treatment. The founder hopes that some solution or support could help him accommodate more strays.
To help any stray animal in need you can connect with HELP Animals & Birds Hospital – +91 92233 33338
Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.
Regards,
The CSR Journal Team
