CHENNAI: The first animal adoption drive to be held at a city college took place at the Stella Maris on Friday afternoon. This initiative was held as a part of the Zoology Department’s project, Compassion Week, that started earlier on Wednesday. Also invited for the event were the students of MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Women's Christian College and Ethiraj College. Annie Cherian, Head of the Zoology Department said, “We planned this as part of one of our courses — Concept in Animal Welfare which included lectures and interactive sessions with the students on animal welfare and a pet show as well.”For student pet owners, it was an opportunity to show off their canines to classmates and members of staff, not to mention take home some doggie biscuits and chew toys. No doubt, a deserving prize for those in that rebellious ‘teething’ phase, often poised to chew up precious pages of a highlighted textbook left unguarded by many an absent-minded owner.For student volunteer Khyati Shah, who was a little fearful of being pounced upon initially, the initiative was a success and has helped her get rid of her phobia, albeit she admits with ‘baby steps’. “Recently, a few of us started looking after a new born we found abandoned near college and so, I don't think I'm that afraid anymore.” Also, she adds pointedly, “This is the first time that we have had such a big crowd in college, after class hours.”With several Indian pups and kittens up for adoption by the Blue Cross and the Chennai Adoption Drive (CAD), students enthusiastically gathered at the venue to find a pet to take home or to simply pat a furry head and say hello. Kalpana Ramanan, one of the staff members on the organising committee, said, “Many of our students, we have discovered are uncomfortable dissecting animals as is required by some subjects in the curriculum. We are trying our best to look for an alternative.”In recent months, there has been a marked increase in the number of student volunteers spreading awareness about cruelty to dogs and a drive to popularise Indian breeds over the upmarket pedigree. However as Jennifer Murali Anand (CAD) stated, “To have an adoption drive on the premises of a college came as a pleasant surprise, because usually, such events in educational institutions go so far as to interact with the students. But it stops there.” She quickly added, “Considering the adoptions are being made by students, we will be talking to their parents to find out their comfort levels and permission to have open house visits as a part of the follow up.”
Comments
0 comment