Awareness / Programs

At ART Pune, we believe that awareness is the key to effecting change. We strive to raise awareness about the issues facing street animals, not only on the surface level but also at the root cause. We run various awareness programs through multiple platforms, including social media, public events, and educational initiatives in order to educate the public about animal welfare and the importance of co-existing with animals. We believe that when people become more aware of the issues facing street animals, they are more likely to take action to help improve the lives of these animals and make a positive impact on their community.

Before ART’s influence, almost all police stations lacked the appropriate and necessary resources and knowledge regarding animal cruelty laws. The active training cell at ART take on the responsibility to provide training to those in power who lack these resources. For example, the first training session was held at the Maharashtra State Veterinary Training Center in Pune for Veterinary Doctors. ART didn’t stop there! They then decided to turn to Police Stations at Pimpri Chinchwad, covering all zones, distributing “Sankalan” the Marathi edition of the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act, at all Stations. 

An online training session was organized by the Pune Centre for Police Research in collaboration with The Nashik Prabodhini to make the Maharashtra State Police more aware of Animal Welfare Laws and how to implement them. Future plans include sessions on the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and NPRC (National Council on Radiation Protection) and how to implement these laws with the help of a lawyer. 

The training cell, with the help of a translator, produced “Sankalan,” a compilation of all animal welfare laws under the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act, in Marathi. It also has a separate section on circulars for housing societies, and has truly been a lifesaver. The book was circulated among volunteers at ART and given to Police Stations in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune and Mumbai for free. 

The third edition of this book is set to release in December, following the amendment to the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act.