While festivals are a time of fun and enjoyment for us, but for animals living on the street or at our homes, it is a nightmare. Every year intentionally or unintentionally, we disturb the peace of animals during Holi with harmful and synthetic colors, during Diwali with crackers’ sound, etc.
In our excitement to celebrate Holi, we sometimes put color on our pets or the dogs living in the streets. Since the animals have the habit of licking themselves, they might consume the chemicals present in color, leading them to fall sick. Also, many kids throw metallic shade in their eyes, which can cause temporary or permanent blindness.
Many NGOs that rescued these animals after the celebration have disclosed them suffering rashes, skin infections, and sometimes burned skin because they are exposed to synthetic colors for an extended period.
How can we protect the animals from these sufferings? What can we do so that we don’t hamper their harmony in between our fun? Following are some ways that you can do the same.
- Keep them indoors
When you are outside playing Holi, try to keep your pets indoors and play at a safe distance from where the stray animals don’t get hurt.
- Immediately clean them
If the animals get exposed to colors mistakenly, immediately clean them with water not to get an infection or fall sick due to the exposure.
- Teach your children
Children might not be aware that they are harming or frightening the dogs by throwing color or water balloons at them in their innocence. Talk to them and make them understand in not doing that.
- Spread awareness in your area
Make posters or notices to aware your society or building’s people to not disturb the animals around while playing Holi. You can ask your building manager to help you in informing and aware outsiders about the same.
Like us, animals also have an equitable right to enjoy and be a part of the festival. But everything looks fun if it is within a limit. So, instead of throwing colors at them, put a tikka with natural color or turmeric powder on them. Also, the same applies to the food items like chocolates, raisins, cakes, etc. Please don’t share what you are eating with them as these items are not suitable for them, and they may fall sick after eating them.
Hence, this year let’s take a pledge to spread joy and happiness, but not at the cost of peace and life of the animals around us. Have a safe, happy, and animal-friendly Holi!
