The initiative is in line with the directive of the Animal Welfare Board of India.
In a heartwarming initiative, more than 150 mobile shelters have been built to offer community dogs and cats safety and care during inclement weather.
For our furry friends, the monsoon season can prove to be quite challenging. To address these challenges, Mars Petcare India and Swiggy Instamart have joined hands to launch Paw Protecc, a brilliant initiative designed to keep our animal friends safe during extreme weather conditions. There are already around 150 shelters across Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi offering protection to stray animals from weather-related threats. Paw Protecc implements ideas from the government and animal welfare professionals, motivated by a shared goal of making pet environments safer.
Paw Protection offers shelters to help community dogs survive the monsoon and get quick relief, in addition to adopting suggestions from authorities and animal welfare specialists. This programme also complies with the latest order from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which calls on companies to build makeshift shelters for animals during the prolonged monsoon season. To maintain these shelters and ensure that they are stocked with necessary food and water, Mars Petcare has partnered with NGOs including Friendicoes, Save Our Strays and CUPA.
In the initial phase of the Paw Protecc initiative, nearly 50 feeding points have been strategically identified across three major metros for the deployment of mobile shelters. Each of these critical locations serves as a lifeline for up to 500 homeless pets every day. To further support these vulnerable animals, Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart have committed to providing 20,000 nutritious meals, ensuring that these pets receive the essential care and sustenance they need during this difficult time. To drive community engagement in the initiative, an engaging social media campaign has also been introduced on the occasion of International Dog Day to spread awareness about the initiative.
More about the campaign:
69.3 million pets (60.5 million dogs and 8.8 million cats) are homeless in India, living in poor conditions on the streets, according to data from Mars' State of Pet Homelessness report, analysed by Salil Murthy, managing director of Mars Petcare India.
“The Paw Protecc initiative by Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart is a result of our shared purpose of creating a better world for pets. For over two decades, Mars Petcare has been working to improve the lives of pets, whether in homes or on the streets, across India. We have led adoption initiatives, forged long-term partnerships with NGOs and provided nutritional support to millions of pets.
Through Paw Protecc, we are taking direct action. Pedigree and Swiggy Instamart have joined forces to help pets affected by the prolonged monsoon by deploying mobile shelters at feeding points in cities. Our partnerships with animal welfare associations are instrumental in this effort. Apart from providing them with shelters, we ensure that these pets get the balanced nutrition they need to survive.
Paw Protecc is more than an initiative; it is a call to action. We urge individuals, communities and organisations to join us in improving the lives of pets and creating a compassionate environment where every pet can lead a healthy and safe life.”
Phani Kishan Addepalli, CEO, Swiggy Instamart, added, “We are delighted to partner with Mars Petcare for the Paw Protecc initiative, which is an honest attempt to make things a little easier for animals in our communities, especially during the difficult monsoon season. We have seen a strong response from Swiggy Instamart users in the pet category, highlighting the deep care people have for their animal companions. This initiative is our way of giving back and supporting the animals that bring so much joy to our lives.”
Through initiatives including donating over 100 million meals, spaying and neutering over 30,000 stray animals and providing comprehensive preventative care, including wellness checks, vaccinations and preventative medicine to over 100,000 pets, Mars Petcare has helped nearly 10 million vulnerable pets around the world over the past three years. Animal lovers have taken note of the shelters, currently operating in Delhi and Mumbai, and are expressing their gratitude and support on social media.
