Sanni Babu, second member of our dog catching team!
VSPCA’s founder, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Nath, is highly effective at tackling certain issues at the grassroots levels. He recognizes how vital it is to employ people from the local communities and give them jobs that will not only help them make ends meet, but also help VSPCA achieve their goals of helping all animals in need.
VSPCA does everything it can to address classist and casteist institutions and structures that reinforce extreme inequality in India. Sadly, this inequality serves a lot of people who continue to use the word “servant” in referring to their house helpers, and deepens their lack of empathy for people who are struggling to rise up. The world’s institutional complexes work in this manner. Today, the world is opening its eyes to these systemic issues. VSPCA awakened in the 1990’s and today, it is ahead of society in addressing these issues.
People who clean sewers, traditional laundromats, victims of sex trade & trafficking, formerly drug and alcohol users, the un-housed, transgender folks, those who culled animals for the municipality are groups of people who have run into hard times. These groups of people seem to have a deep and genuine compassion for animals. It is no surprise to see them take care of large numbers of animals, where love is unconditional.
Over the course of four decades, Pradeep reached out to such residents who could use a break in life, and as a bonus, work with animals they love. They have no inhibitions regarding animals. Even those who used to cull animals for a living, are converted to “dog catchers” (for example) and make their way up to becoming “animal behaviorists.” They have a wisdom attained through animal cultures.
Last week, we talked about Darga, our most experienced dog catcher. This week, we are introducing Sanni Babu, our second dog catcher. Like Darga, he was involved with the illegal culling of street dogs to earn money to support himself and his family. However, since joining VSPCA, he vowed to Mr. Nath that he will never become involved with illegal activities nor kill dogs for a living, ever again.
Sanni Babu joined us almost twenty years ago , when VSPCA was just five years old. Over the years, we have seen Sanni Babu put his previous line of work behind him as a laundromat, and help catch dogs so that our brilliant medical team can meet the remarkable spay-neuter numbers VSPCA has achieved, administer vaccines for dog health and well-being as well as, achieve public health requirements that cover zoonotic diseases.
Sanni Babu has become really efficient in his job, and can keep calm even under tense situations. He was involved with training the municipalities of Mumbai and other regions of India.
We are grateful to Sanni Babu for all that he has done for VSPCA and wish him nothing but the best health and longevity for him!