Special animal adoption drive for dogs, cats left behind at Navi Mumbai Airport site on May 26

NAVI MUMBAI: A group of city based animal activists are planning to hold a special Animals Adoption Drive at Seawoods on May 26 in order to rehabilitate as many of the lost and abandoned dogs and cats from the Navi Mumbai Airport Project site.
Stunned by the pathetic state of the stray dogs and pups who have been left behind at the Navi Mumbai Airport site, following the rehabilitation of the villagers, several Navi Mumbai based activists have been consistently discussing the issue with Cidco authorities, in order to have this adoption drive.
"At the adoption drive which will take place at SS High School & Junior College in Seawoods, sector 44, we are hoping to find forever homes for over 50 puppies and kittens; while there are also close to 300 adult dogs which were left stranded in the cluster of 10 core villages in Panvel taluka, where the Navi Mumbai airport project is coming up. We have been consistently telling Cidco that these animals also have an equal right to be rescued and rehabilitated," said activist Anand Siva.
Several citizens and animal activists, including Aditi Parmeshwaran, Siva and others, are also planning to meet the Cidco chairman who is also the Panvel MLA, Prashant Thakur, on Wednesday, to ensure that all animals left behind at the airport site are rehabilitated.
"With thousands of crores of rupees being utilized for building this international airport at Panvel, it is expected that the authorities show some compassion for these dogs, cats who are literally starving and dying at the airport site. The government of Maharashtra, Cidco and GVK Group have a moral obligation to ensure the welfare of animals," added Siva.
The activists also added that once the monsoon season begins in the next few days, the chances of survival of these dogs and cats in the open at the airport site will become very bleak, which is why the adoption drive has to be carried out now.
Cidco PRO Priya Ratambe said, "I will be discussing this issue with our chairperson (Prashant Thakur) and other officials concerned. Earlier, a few animal rights groups have come to Cidco to try and resolve this issue."
NGOs such as Hands That Heal, and activists like Arati Chauhan of Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell, have also earlier written to Cidco with regards to this issue. Chauhan had also raised funds to feed as many dogs at the site as possible.
For more info on this animal Adoption Drive, citizens can call Aditi Parameshwaran on 8652114494.