Lost job, but compassion still lives on

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 23

While a large majority in our country post-pandemic are determined not to sleep empty stomach, 57-year-old Kiran Kanojia, a resident of Pawan Nagar, makes sure that the stray animals are fed and full. Among those who lost their source of livelihood in aftermath of the pandemic, Kiran, who used to earn her living as a dog trainer, found herself dependent on her daughters.

“I live with my youngest daughter, who works at a private hospital. I used to earn around Rs10,000 by training dogs but post-pandemic, I lost that job as well,” she shares. Yet, she sets out every day with a bag full of food and bread for stray animals not just in her locality but wherever she finds one. Kiran had also been a volunteer member of ‘Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals’ and had managed to feed stray animals during the lockdown, without missing a day.

“I manage to get help from volunteers as well. Mostly, I want them to donate food and eatables for animals rather than money. My daughters, too, help me with this. Despite the hardships, I feel that I must do whatever I can to feed them,” she says.

Kiran has been an animal lover since her childhood. “I feel a connection. They need our care and love and it is only humane to feed them. This pandemic has taught us to be more compassionate towards every living being. I used to go door-to-door as well to collect leftovers with which I used to feed these canines. More people need to come forward to help them.”