NGO
RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST:
A HAVEN THAT SPRUNG FROM AN INITIATIVE
By Neha Panchamiya*
Initiative
noun
An act or strategy intended to resolve a
difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh
approach to something.
On a cold night 12 years ago, my friend
Tanya and I struggled to get help for a stray
dog who was vomiting and shivering and
was clearly in need of emergency medical
attention. The hours flew by in a haze as
we frantically contacted pet clinics in the
hope that someone, somewhere, would help
a stray animal. By the time a veterinarian
finally agreed to help -- 18 hours since we
first found the poor animal -- the dog’s
condition had worsened considerably, and
he passed away. His death was one of the
most harrowing experiences of my life, yet
it also led to my most life-altering decision:
one that solidified my mission to ensure
that no one else would feel as helpless as we
had that night. This was how the seeds to
RESQ Charitable Trust were sown: through
the distressing and needless suffering of one
dog, and the realisation that if we wanted
to help animals, we would have to stop
pointing fingers and fuel our frustration
and passion into taking the initiative to
finding a solution ourselves.
28
That was 2007. Today, RESQ is one of
India’s most active citywide rescue service.
What started as a small onsite operation
at the back of a mall, is now a full-fledged
organisation that has grown in leaps and
bounds over the years: from raising street
animal healthcare standards to embarking
on ground-breaking scientific endeavours.
Every single decision and action at RESQ
is spurred by our singular and overriding
desire to help animals. Since the very
beginning, RESQ has provided 100 percent
free medical treatment and care to street
animals, and it will continue to do so.
Through our efforts, we provide aid to over
250+ animals every day and rescue animals,
both large and small, domestic and wild. We
firmly believe that direct action tempered
with a practical and informed approach
is the best way to promote both human
and animal welfare through peaceful
coexistence, which is why we also focus a
considerable portion of our efforts towards
functioning as Pune’s only Canine Rabies
Quarantine and Testing Facility, as Rabies
is both an animal and human health issue.
Through our Charitable Animal Hospital,
RESQ Ambulance and Onsite Response
Team, Small Animal Sanctuary and
Rehoming Centre, Large Animal Sanctuary,
Wildlife Transit Unit, and Awareness and
Education efforts, we endeavour to help
injured, sick, abandoned and homeless
animals of all kinds whilst doing our utmost
to spread the word about the work we do.
Creature Companion | July 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 7 • Noida
With every stride we make towards a
brighter future for animals, however, I am
discerningly aware of the obstacles that lie in
our path. RESQ is currently functioning as
emergency veterinary and trauma hospital
for unowned animals, rehabilitation and
rehoming centre, and wildlife transit unit
for the majority of Pune’s animals. That is,