In March 2023 the city of Mumbai, India's financial, multi cultural, magical, city of dreams had over 11 thousand construction sites. This is not speculation, government records confirm it.
If each construction site had a minimum of 2 dogs lurking about that is approximately 22,000 stray dogs. Imagine this to be a breeding pair producing one litter of 4-6 puppies... These are wildly speculative numbers but not impossible. In reality there are probably double if not triple the number of dogs at these sites. Now imagine the numbers across the country and it is so easily preventable- with common sense and compassion.
Why do stray animals gravitate to construction sites?
These animals find their way to food and kindness. Construction crews are the heart and soul of infrastructure. They are the hands that build, and the strength upon which "fantastic infrastructure" of cities rest.
Community animals depend on hand outs. They are the scavengers of urban jungles and their survival is largely from the largesse of migrant and construction workers who readily share what little they have with these dogs and cats.
And so a transient community is formed. The workers have company and the animals have carers and a source of food. In addition, they are the unpaid security guards of any and all sites they inhabit.
What happens to stray dogs once the construction site is completed?
These dogs are often turned out, and have to seek a new place to find food and shelter. Apartment buildings and communities have become so massive that consensus is difficult at best and impossible in reality. Site dogs are the byproducts of rapid urban development without addressing massive urban shortcomings.
Do construction projects have a responsibility to maintain urban ecosystems?
Developers, builders, contractors involved in reorganising and changing the face of cities have an inherent responsibility to the ecosystems they disrupt. Entire communities across the country are being reorganised, new boundaries drawn and neighbourhoods reshaped.
Change is not always for 'the best' and 'modern' is not always better. Make the change makers responsible. Every member of the urban eco system matters.
Urban eco systems exist. They provide balance. Unfortunately, the rush to modernise and replicate skylines from across the globe with little planning results in islands of manicured lawns surrounded by crumbling infrastructure.
Site dogs are a part of the urban ecosystem of India (not only Mumbai) all the Supreme Court orders aimed at these imaginary packs of rabid dogs roaming the streets will not change reality.
Would you support an Initiative to help Site Dogs?
An initiative to sterilise/ neuter and vaccinate site dogs is a proactive step to addressing problems at inception. We can care for these dogs literally 'on site' and ensure that they do not breed. Place responsibility where is should be but also take responsibility to act independently. It is as simple as realty companies working with local NGO's and welfare organisations to spay/neuter Site Dogs and release them back into the neighbourhood.
Of course, businesses exist for profit, but when the pursuit of profits blinds a business to common sense and decency - it is community and country who suffer. And for now it is the birds, cats and dogs who are the receiving end of human short sightedness and selfishness.
Site Dogs: is an Oliver Pet Care® concept we hope can come to fruition. We invite you to take the idea and run with it.. bound with it in the current scenario. Our street, site and community dogs need all our support and help.
