For the love of animals

When humans started to feed wolves, the wolves started to become dogs. In time, man's best friend developed loyal temperament, smaller heads, teeth, and paws. For centuries, dogs assisted humans in hunting and acted as trusted sentinels. But the roles, once indispensable, are redundant in the age of superstores and CCTVs.

"That's when our most trusted friend got thrown out onto the street," said Rakibul Haq Emil with conviction.

A graduate of architecture, the incorrigible animal lover recently spoke to this newspaper at his animal shelter in the capital's Beribandh. He established, "People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation" in 2015, which obtained government recognition last October.

He was obsessed with animals so much that his graduate project was a design of a veterinary hospital.

"It goes way back. When I was a student I carried home an injured dog from the street but he died of his injuries. I was alone then," he said.

Since then Emil rescued many cats and dogs and gave them shelter. "Some likeminded people sometimes joined me and said they would like to contribute. That's when I got the idea of an organisation for animals in distress."

PAW is the country's 2nd registered organisation for animals.

"I learnt some primary treatment from vets. What we do at Paw is whenever we hear about any animal being abused or injured we reach out and rescue," Emil, who designs interiors when he is not tending animals, said.

"Cats and dogs are friendly, making it really easy for people to abuse and torture them," he added.

PAW also creates awareness against animal abuse, he said.

In the first few months, PAW was financed by Emil himself. Others began to chip in later.

Emil dreams of establishing a larger animal welfare institution where he wants to run a modern veterinary hospital, diagnostic centre, day-care, physiotherapy. Courses on veterinary would also be there, he hopes.

PAW foundation is currently running a few programmes and campaigns to dispel superstition about animals. PAW also tries to get the rescued animals adopted.