5 Tips to Help Animals Beat the Summer Heat

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     The summer season is here or rather has been here for a while now. While we enjoy the mango season making delicacies and lounge in front of coolers, our animal friends won't have it easy. The sun is getting stronger with every passing year due to climate change. Often, our animal friends end up severely starved and dehydrated. Just in two months, we have rescued over 200 kites that fell victim to the harsh summer breeze. 


A dehydrated Barbet moments before rescue


    How can we keep them safe? Is there anything we can do for the urban wildlife while continuing to maintain no physical contact? Yes, there are ways and we will definitely tell you! 

1. Keep water bowls - Water is a scarce resource to procure from natural outlets during summers. Lakes and ponds dry up. Small potholes on the corner of the roads dry up too, leaving no water for the animals. Place a big bowl of water inside your compound, terrace, or balcony which can help birds bathe and hydrate. 
2. Food - Food becomes a major concern for herbivores and omnivores. While carnivores like snakes and kites have to forage for themselves, we can help the other animals out. Try to feed at least one meal to the animals around you. One can place grains and fruits for squirrels and birds. You can place a bowl on your window sills. Ensuring one meal a day can save them from starvation. 
3. Plant more trees - Trees act as a natural shelter for animals. For birds, it is their home. Fewer trees mean more summer heat. Planting trees is not only important for the well-being of animals, but also for the climate and humans. The more trees we plant, the more we work towards the sustainability of the planet. 
4. Watch your feet! - Animals like snakes and bats are highly affected by heat. Thus, they stay in shady places throughout the day. Evening and night is their time to hunt for food. While we too prefer to go out for walks in the evenings, we need to be careful to not cause distress to animals who have been hungry all day long. If you happen to encounter a reptile or a bat, calmly turn around, without causing alarm and walk away. Let them be. If you need further help, call our rescue helpline on 99000 25370.
5. Keep a lookout - If you have animals who visit your compound or home often, keep an eye on their health and behaviour. If you have a doubt that they do not seem well and look weak, reach out to us immediately. Your timely intervention can help the animal recover a lot faster. 

     As the summer reaches its peak, all of us feel gloomy and agitated. Summers are not an easy time for the animals as well. They take care of us and the city's health throughout the year. They keep our cities clean, help pollinate the seeds, maintain the life cycle and provide us with mental peace. If small steps like these can save the lives of animals and help them beat the summer heat, then why the reluctance? 















Authored by Praanjali Shukla, Volunteer @ PfA, Bangalore

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