In 2021, I’d a chance to interview Reeya Thakur for my society magazine. I’d come to know her as the woman who fed community animals during the lockdowns. What was small scale then is now a fulltime job for this animal lover & activist.
For Reeya, animal love encompasses all animals with whom she shares the planet. She began caring for animals in school.
“I helped one animal, then two & so on.”
Today, Reeya feeds >250 dogs & ~100 large animals daily.
“I undertake activities like adoption, ambulance, neutering, rescues, shelter, & treatment.”
She is using her LLB degree to form a legal panel to fight animal cruelty cases.
Reeya realised the need to reach more animals during the lockdown.
“That prompted me to establish Happy Tails Foundation (HTF). Seeing the plight of stray animals, seeing them look for a morsel of food, or for a safe place to sleep, or basic medical care, I was determined to take care of them.”
The HTF mission is that no animal on the street should sleep hungry or die due to medical neglect or suffer due to hatred from passers-by. She now manages to rescue & treat birds, bulls, cats, cows, dogs, donkeys, horses, monkeys & snakes.
How does Reeya sustain the HTF operations?
“Animal welfare needs not just love but also resources! I am dependent on public support. Currently, I raise need-based funds, but I am figuring out a permanent solution like monthly sponsorships. I am counting on people’s support & the universe’s blessing!”
Reeya further talks about animal mistreatment.
“The kind of cruelty inflicted on animals… Overloaded carts with bulls being beaten to go fast. Community dogs relocated by residents. Poisoned dogs. Heinous crimes like a cow being sexually abused by a man. We need to ask ourselves – “Will I like the same thing done to me?” I try to create compassion as I want people to become conscious. But I point out legal angles too, if needed.”
At the end, Reeya thanks the wonderful people who regularly help & requests more animal lovers to come forward.
“When you go out, carry a little food & feed the first community animal you see. If we follow ‘Each One Feed One’, no animal will sleep hungry. If you see an abandoned/ injured animal, please contact HTF or any animal NGO. Help in whatever way you can. Every small initiative matters!”
Get Involved With Happy Tails Foundation
Adopt. Foster. Volunteer. Donate. Every little bit counts.
