Episode 5 : How to care for our Streeties

We all see them. At the street corner. Outside tea shops. Curled up on warm pavements or under parked cars. Street animals are a part of our daily life in India yet most of us walk past them, unsure of what to do, or afraid we’ll do it wrong.

The truth is: you don’t need to be an expert, a vet, or a rescuer to care. You just need to start small and start with kindness.

1. Keep Water Bowls Outside

In Chennai’s heat, dehydration is one of the biggest risks for street dogs and cats. Just placing a clean bowl of water outside your gate or in a common spot can save lives. Refill it twice a day, and make sure it’s in a shaded, accessible area. Cement bowls work best because they don’t tip over or heat up too fast.

2. Feed, But Feed Right

Feeding animals is wonderful — but the right food matters. Avoid spicy leftovers, fried food, or bones (especially chicken bones). Plain rice, eggs, curd, boiled veggies, and dog food (if available) are good choices. Try to feed in a consistent spot and time. Animals love routine, and it helps reduce conflict with neighbors too.

3. Vaccinate & Sterilize (If You Can)

If you regularly see the same dogs, consider reaching out to a local animal welfare group to help vaccinate and sterilize them. It’s one of the most humane ways to reduce suffering in the long run and keep the population healthy. Some cities have municipal programs too — it’s worth checking.

4. Help When They’re Hurt

If you see an injured or sick animal, don’t panic. Take a photo and share it with a nearby animal NGO or community rescue group. Sometimes, even calling a vet for first-aid advice or arranging a rickshaw to transport the animal to a clinic can save a life. You don’t have to do everything — just one small thing.

5. Be Their Voice

Many people don’t hate animals — they just don’t know how to help, or they believe common myths. Talk to your neighbors, share a story, educate gently. Street animals are not dangerous by default. Most are just trying to survive with whatever scraps of space and food they get.

Street animals are not strays they’re part of our shared streets, our ecosystems, and our cities. They belong here just as much as we do. And in a world that often overlooks the voiceless, even the smallest act of care can mean everything.