Jharkhand a land rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, has long struggled with the issue of stray animals—particularly cows and dogs roaming unprotected on streets, marketplaces, and highways. While these animals are considered part of the social fabric, their plight often goes unnoticed. They suffer from hunger, malnutrition, untreated injuries, and neglect. In response to this urgent humanitarian and environmental challenge, the Indian Socio Income and Grievance Helping Trust -INSIGHT has launched a large-scale “Street Animal Food & Medicine Campaign” across Jharkhand.
This initiative seeks not only to provide daily meals and medical care to street animals but also to raise awareness, advocate for sustainable policy changes, and inspire community participation. With an appeal for donations from both individuals and corporates, the campaign aims to transform the way society perceives and treats its voiceless companions.
The Ground Reality: Street Animals in Jharkhand
Every city in Jharkhand—be it Ranchi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, or small towns and villages—faces the issue of stray cattle and dogs. The situation is complex:
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Cows on the Streets
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Abandoned by dairy owners once they stop giving milk.
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Left to scavenge garbage dumps for food, often ingesting harmful plastics.
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Vulnerable to accidents on highways, leading to loss of both animal and human life.
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Lack of shelters aggravates the problem, making cows permanent street dwellers.
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Stray Dogs
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Growing population due to lack of sterilization programs.
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Many survive on food waste, often facing starvation.
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Suffer from untreated wounds, infections, skin diseases like mange, and malnutrition.
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Instances of dog bites lead to public fear, further isolating these animals from care.
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Common Challenges
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Absence of accessible veterinary services for street animals.
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Lack of government-led feeding programs.
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Insufficient funding for animal shelters and NPOs working in the sector.
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Social stigma that considers strays as nuisances rather than living beings deserving compassion.
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The Trust’s Vision and Mission
The Indian Socio Income and Grievance Helping Trust was founded with a vision to uplift vulnerable communities—both human and animal. Recognizing that social progress cannot be complete without addressing compassion for animals, the Trust expanded its scope to include animal welfare initiatives.
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Mission of the Campaign:
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Ensure that no stray cow or dog goes hungry in Jharkhand.
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Provide regular medical check-ups, vaccination, and emergency care.
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Establish a network of feeding zones and mobile medical units.
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Advocate for corporate social responsibility (CSR) support for animal welfare.
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Build a compassionate ecosystem where citizens actively participate in caring for street animals.
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Campaign Structure: Food, Medicine, and Awareness
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Feeding Programs
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Volunteers distribute nutritious meals for cows (green fodder, grains, and water stations) and dogs (cooked rice, protein-rich supplements, biscuits).
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Establish community feeding points in high stray-density areas like bus stands, temples, and markets.
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Work with local vendors and households to donate leftover food in a safe and hygienic manner.
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Medical Support
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Mobile Veterinary Clinics equipped with medicines, vaccines, and first-aid kits.
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Regular vaccination drives against rabies and common infections.
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Sterilization programs to control the stray population humanely.
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Collaboration with local veterinary doctors and hospitals for surgical care and emergency treatment.
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Shelter and Rescue
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Establish temporary shelters for injured or abandoned cows and dogs.
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Create foster-care networks where volunteers can provide homes to recovering animals.
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Awareness Campaigns
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Educational programs in schools and colleges to sensitize the younger generation.
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Public campaigns through street plays, posters, and social media to promote kindness towards animals.
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Collaboration with local government authorities to advocate stray-friendly policies.
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Stories from the Ground
The campaign is not just about numbers—it is about real lives being saved and transformed.
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Gomata the Cow: Once, an accident caused by an unknown vehicle on the road in Dhanbad left Gomata suffering from bleeding, severe bloating, and weakness. Volunteers from Insight tried to rescue her, provided veterinary treatment, and ensured she received a steady diet of green fodder. However, due to excessive blood loss from her injuries, she is no more.
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Rocky the Dog: A street dog in Dhanbad suffered a badly infected wound after being hit by a motorbike. While local residents ignored him, Insight’s General Secretary Sarita Singh, along with the medical team, intervened. They cleaned the wound, administered antibiotics, and fostered him until he recovered. Today, Tommy roams happily, his coat shining with new life.
These stories highlight the life-saving impact of small acts of kindness powered by organized community campaigns.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Appeal
The campaign is designed to align with CSR initiatives of companies operating in Jharkhand and across India. Organizations are encouraged to support the cause through:
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Financial contributions to sustain food distribution and medical camps.
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In-kind donations such as food grains, medicines, blankets, and first-aid supplies.
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Employee volunteer programs where staff can participate in feeding and awareness drives.
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Adoption of specific zones or shelters, ensuring long-term care for animals in that locality.
By contributing to this campaign, corporates not only fulfill their CSR obligations but also strengthen their brand’s social responsibility image, showcasing commitment towards ethical, compassionate practices.
Call for Individual Donations
The Trust emphasizes that every individual can make a difference. A small donation can go a long way:
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₹100 provides one day’s meal for a stray dog.
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₹300 provides green fodder for 2 cows for a day.
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₹500 covers vaccination and deworming for one animal.
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₹2000 supports a minor medical procedure or wound treatment.
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Larger donations help fund shelters, rescue vehicles, and long-term projects.
Donors are acknowledged with certificates of appreciation, and regular updates are provided through newsletters and social media, ensuring complete transparency.
Broader Impact of the Campaign
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Public Health Improvement
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Regular vaccinations reduce cases of rabies and zoonotic diseases.
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Cleaner streets as strays no longer scavenge garbage for survival.
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Road Safety
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Reducing the number of starving, wandering cows on highways lowers accident risks.
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Community Harmony
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Encouraging compassion fosters a safer, kinder environment.
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Reduces conflicts between communities and stray animals.
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Environmental Sustainability
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Promotes responsible waste management by diverting food scraps to organized feeding.
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Challenges Faced
While the Trust has made remarkable progress, several challenges persist:
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Limited funds to sustain daily feeding and medical drives.
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Shortage of veterinary professionals in rural areas.
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Resistance from sections of society that consider strays a nuisance.
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Logistical hurdles in reaching remote villages.
Despite these, the Trust remains committed to overcoming barriers through public partnerships, government collaborations, and donor generosity.
The Road Ahead
The Indian Socio Income and Grievance Helping Trust envisions:
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Establishing permanent animal shelters in all major districts of Jharkhand.
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Expanding the food and medicine program to cover 10,000 animals annually.
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Launching a statewide sterilization drive to humanely manage stray dog populations.
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Creating a digital donation platform to make contributions easy and transparent.
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Partnering with educational institutions for student volunteer programs.
A Call to Action
The plight of stray cows and dogs in Jharkhand is not just an animal welfare issue—it is a human responsibility. By supporting the Street Animal Food & Medicine Campaign, citizens and organizations can actively participate in shaping a compassionate society where every life is valued.
The Trust appeals:
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To individuals: Donate generously, volunteer time, or sponsor meals for street animals.
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To corporates: Align your CSR with this life-saving initiative.
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To communities: Join hands in creating safe, humane spaces for strays.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
The future of Jharkhand’s streets depends on the collective kindness and responsibility of its people.
The Indian Socio Income and Grievance Helping Trust’s Street Animal Food & Medicine Campaign is more than a project—it is a movement. A movement towards compassion, responsibility, and sustainable coexistence between humans and animals. In a world where development often overlooks the voiceless, this initiative shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us that true progress lies in extending care to the most vulnerable.
The campaign now calls upon every heart, every hand, and every organization to join, support, and sustain this cause—because every cow and every dog on Jharkhand’s streets deserves food, medicine, and dignity.
📌 For donations, volunteering, or partnerships, individuals and companies can directly contact the Indian Socio Income and Grievance Helping Trust through their official website, helpline numbers, or outreach offices in Delhi, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
