Ammini's shelter home for stray dogs | Photo: EV Rakesh
Kottayam: A shelter home for stray dogs in Kottayam stands out at a time when the entire state is alarmed by the incidents of dog bites. As many as 52 dogs are being protected here in the yard of a small house located on a plot with just three cents. Ammini and her children Tara and Rekha have been taking care of the stray dogs for over 18 years.
The only breadwinner of the family is Rekha, who works in a nearby petrol pump. Though financial constraints trouble the family, they ensure enough food and care to the dogs without allowing them to wander on streets.
Everything began when Ammini brought a dog which was injured by a speeding vehicle back home long back. Though the dog was completely cured, it refused to leave Ammini. Later, she got many dogs and even people started to entrust dogs here. Some even reach here at night to abandon their dogs in Ammini’s yard. Rekha said that some people had even threatened her that they would kill the dogs if she refused to adopt it.
At least 30 kilograms of rice is required to feed the dogs twice daily. Biscuits and water are being served in the morning and milk for the puppies. Rekha also buys chicken drumsticks usually for Rs 100.
Eight dogs have been administered vaccination recently and the remaining dogs also have to be inoculated, said Rekha. The family request for government aid and convert the home as an animal shelter centre by completing the procedures of vaccination and obtaining licence.
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