Delhi air pollution hazardous for animals, PETA offers advice on keeping them safe

New Delhi: As the pollution level of Delhi's air dips into the 'severe category', the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India is offering life-saving tips on caring for a companion, working, and "community" animals. PEAT has given certain precautions to prevent severe diseases like asthma and bronchitis in animals.

"Many animals are suffering because of Delhi's air pollution crisis. You can help them weather the problem by following our tips and volunteering with your local animal protection group to help the community and working animals," said PETA India Emergency Response Coordinator Neha Chaturvedi.

Animals suffer greatly from severe respiratory problems because of high air pollution. Studies show that domesticated, "indoor" animals have an increased risk of tumours when exposed to polluted air over an extended period of time, and the same is no doubt true of animals who live and sleep outdoors, like monkeys and community cats and dogs.

* For Companion Animals

Keep them indoors: Keep companion animals indoors with windows and doors closed when possible.

Filter the air: Use air conditioning or an air purifier to filter the air in your home.

Avoid long walks: Dogs should be taken outside only for short walks during this time, and prolonged exercise should be avoided as much as possible.

Keep them hydrated: Make sure your companion animals drink enough water. Keep their bowls filled at all times.

* For Working Animals

Avoid dry food: Concentrate feeds should be dampened to reduce dust inhalation. This is particularly important when nosebags are used.

Support PETA India's Delhi Mechanisation Project: The programme seeks to rehabilitate overworked and abused working animals – including bullocks, donkeys, ponies, and horses – after replacing them with e-rickshaws and to provide their poor owners and their families with better opportunities. More details can be found here

* For Community Animals

Stay alert and save a life:Keep an eye on all animals you see outdoors. Make sure that they have adequate water and shelter. If you find an animal in distress, contact PETA India's emergency helpline on (0) 98201 22602 for advice or a referral. Don't leave the animal's side before help arrives.

 As it may not be possible to keep animals indoors at all times, look out for these early symptoms of poor health and take the affected animal to the nearest veterinary service provider:

Laboured and/or open-mouthed breathing

Vomiting and/or loss of appetite

Unusual or excessive coughing or sneezing

Swelling or inflammation of the eyes, mouth, and/or skin

Any discharge from the eyes and/or nose

Weakness/lethargy

Uncoordinated walking or inability to stand

Increased salivation

Working animals such as bullocks, donkeys, horses, camels, and other species are highly affected by air pollution, since they're on the road throughout the day, inhaling the polluted air emitted from the vehicles that surround them. Particulate matter in the air has been linked to cardiac arrest in animals, and veterinarians sometimes attribute those deaths to the effects of air pollution.