People for Animals Wardha unit is an oasis for animals in central Maharashtra. It was registered as a charitable trust in 2000, and is recognized by the AWBI. The organisation runs an animal shelter and a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center recognized by the Central Zoo Authority – the best facilities for animals the region.
Looking back at how it all started, Ashish Goswami, founder PFA Wardha says “When I was a teenager, my grandmother passed away as a result of a snake bite. My love for her prompted me to become a snake catcher of sorts, in an attempt to help others avoid the same fate. Later on, my interactions with Baba Amte inspired me to do more to enable peaceful coexistence between people and animals. That is when we started PFA at Wardha with the help of likeminded people. Baba Amte’s message of kindness and compassion to all life is central to all that we do in the organisation”
Karunashram, the animal shelter spread over 15 acres is testimony to their commitment to Baba’s message. The facility is permanent home for numerous cattle, dogs, pigs, and other street animals who are unable to fend for themselves. The shelter also runs a 24 hour animal hospital with 2 vets and 1 trained staff. PFA’s two animal ambulances are available on call round the clock to cater to any animal emergencies.
Karunashram has been successfully implementing the Animal Birth Control programme with the Wardha Municipality for the past 5 years. With more than 10,000 successful ABC surgeries till date, PFA Wardha has set the benchmark for effective ABC in the state.
PFA Wardha actively engages with the local forest department to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals in distress. Their expertise in the field has received the stamp of approval from the CZA recently. After treatment, the animals are handed over to the officials for rehabilitation in the wild. Presently, the center has nilgai (blue bull), barn owls, snakes, civets and peafowl undergoing treatment.
The Karuna education center run by PFA has, till date, formed 27 eco clubs in schools around Wardha and conducted 400 presentations on the relevance of kindness to all life. The center has also educated many local farmers on organic farming techniques. Karunashram itself is self sufficient in green fodder for all its animals as a result of organic farming. “not just that, you will get to eat the best mangoes, amla s, and sitaphal on campus during the season. Company of selfless creatures and the gifts of mother nature, now what more does one need?” says Ashish with a broad smile.
Karunashram supports 10 local people by providing them full time employment. PFA Wardha has also been in the forefront of performing animal regulation by rescuing all animals from Moonlight circus recently. They strive every day to give them a good life, away from their previous life of abuse. If you wish to support them, please write to Ashish at ashish_pfa@yahoo.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/pfa.wardha?fref=ts.
