Children learn how to help animals beat the heat in Kasargod workshop

IANS April 5, 2025 169 views

A groundbreaking two-day workshop in Kasargod has empowered 120 school children to protect animals during extreme heat conditions. Organized by Humane World for Animals India, the program uses interactive methods like skits and poster-making to teach practical animal care strategies. With Kerala experiencing temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, the initiative aims to build community resilience and compassion. The program highlights the often-overlooked suffering of animals during climate emergencies and transforms children into proactive caregivers.

"Animals suffer silently, often without any care or support" - Nayana Scaria, Humane World for Animals India
Kasargod, April 5: In a heartening initiative aimed at fostering empathy and awareness, 120 school children in Kasargod were trained over the past two days on how to care for animals during extreme heat conditions.

Key Points

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Interactive workshop teaches children practical animal heat protection strategies

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Volunteer artists help create awareness through visual storytelling

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Kerala faces critical heatwave conditions threatening animal welfare

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Disaster preparedness program empowers young compassionate citizens

The two-day workshop on heatwave preparedness for animals was held at Padanna Kadappuram HSS School, organised by Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International India) in collaboration with Valiyaparamba Grama Panchayat.

Nayana Scaria, Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness, Response and Relief at Humane World for Animals India, introduced the children to simple, practical steps to protect animals during heatwaves -- such as placing water bowls outdoors, creating shaded spaces, and avoiding walking pets on hot pavements.

Interactive sessions, including skits, visual storytelling, and poster-making activities, helped the students identify signs of heat stress in animals and learn how to respond effectively.

Volunteer artists from across Kerala also pitched in, guiding children in creating visually impactful posters on the theme.

With temperatures in Kerala soaring past 40 degrees Celsius and a heat alert issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority as early as February, the timing of the workshop was critical.

“While the impact of extreme heat on humans is widely acknowledged, animals suffer silently, often without any care or support,” said Scaria.

“This initiative empowers children to become compassionate citizens. Through fun, engaging sessions, we’re helping build a disaster-resilient community -- one that protects both people and animals from climate-related challenges,” she added.

Valiyaparamba Grama Panchayat president V.V. Sajeevan echoed the sentiment.

“When we carry umbrellas to shield ourselves from the sun, we rarely stop to think about the birds and animals around us,” he said.

“This programme, through storytelling, music, and art, not only educates young minds but also sets an example for the community in compassion and responsibility.”

Humane World for Animals India has been active in Kerala for the past seven years, working to make the state more disaster-resilient for both humans and animals. Their efforts span disaster preparedness, response, and relief, equipping local governments and communities with tools to protect animals during crises.

During the 2024 Wayanad landslides, the organisation led a major animal rescue operation, saving over 200 animals -- a testament to its commitment to animal welfare during emergencies.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
This is such a wonderful initiative! Teaching kids compassion for animals from a young age is so important. I wish they had workshops like this when I was in school. The poster-making activity sounds especially creative! 🎨
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Rahul M.
Great program, but I wonder if they could expand it to include more rural areas where animals often have less access to care. The urban focus seems a bit limiting given Kerala's geography.
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Anjali S.
As a pet owner, I'm so happy to see this! Many people don't realize how much animals suffer in the heat. My dog refuses to walk on hot pavement - we always go early morning or late evening now. More awareness is needed!
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Sunil P.
The heat has been brutal this year. I've started keeping water bowls outside my shop for street dogs and birds. Small acts make a big difference. Kudos to the organizers for teaching the next generation to be kind!
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Meera V.
Love that they used skits and storytelling to engage the kids! Making learning fun while teaching important values. My niece attended and hasn't stopped talking about it since. She's now the "animal heat expert" in our family 😊
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Kiran T.
The part about the Wayanad landslides rescue really got to me. These organizations do such important work that often goes unnoticed. We need more coverage of these kinds of positive stories in the media.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Animal Welfare Climate Change Kerala Heatwave Children's Education Disaster Preparedness Humane World for Animals
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