KASARGOD, Kerala—A two-day workshop on heat wave preparedness for animals conducted at Padanna Kadappuram HSS School helped students learn about the impact of extreme heat on animals and proactive ways to help. The workshop, conducted by Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International India) in collaboration with Fireflies and supported by Valiyaparamba Grama Panchayat, drew together 120 students, volunteers, parents, community members, teachers and the Panchayat leader.
Nayana Scaria, coordinator, Disaster Preparedness, Response and Relief, Humane World for Animals India, shared a few simple effective ways to help animals and birds, such as putting out water bowls, setting up shaded areas and ensuring that pets avoid walking on hot pavement during extreme heat. Through skit performance, visual storytelling and poster-making sessions, students also learned how to recognize signs of heat stress in animals and simple yet effective ways to aid them. A team of volunteer artists from across Kerala worked with the students to create impactful posters on the subject.
With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in Kerala, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issued a heat warning in early February “While extreme heat takes a toll on humans, animals suffer just as much—often without awareness about how they should be cared for to reduce the impact of hea,” Scaria said. “This community-driven initiative is about empowering the younger generation to become compassionate citizens. Children, as harbingers of future change, truly benefit from participation in thoughtful, interactive and regular sessions such as these. By fostering awareness and empathy, we are building a disaster-resilient community where both people and animals are protected from the harsh effects of climate."
V.V. Sajeevan, Valiyaparamba Grama Panchayat’s president said: "We use umbrellas to shield ourselves from the scorching heat, but what about our animals and the birds around us? How can we help them stay safe in this extreme weather?” Recognizing this need, Valiyaparamba Grama Panchayat, Youth Welfare Organization, Fireflies, and Humane World for Animals India have come together to organize an awareness program for children on protecting animals during heat waves. Through storytelling, music, drawing and art, this initiative not only educates young minds but also sets an example of compassion and responsibility for our entire community."
For the past seven years, Humane World for Animals India has been working to make Kerala a disaster-resilient state for both humans and animals. Through disaster response, preparedness and relief efforts, the organization strengthens community resilience by equipping local governments and grassroots organizations with the tools to protect animals in crisis. During the 2024 Wayanad landslides, the team spearheaded a major animal rescue operation, saving over 200 animals and reinforcing its commitment to animal protection in times of crisis.
Download Photos/Video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Mia_RCJI9KFW775rMSXTuA1m51bEeeqc?usp=drive_link