About 500 parakeets have been rescued and rehabilitated in their natural environment since 2012, thanks to a group of college students belonging to the NGO called Animal Rescuers.

Animal Rescuers was founded by Joseph Reginald. True to its name, the NGO, with the help of Coimbatore District Forest Department, continues to rescue birds and animals that are in danger. “I’m saddened to see the torture hat these parakeets undergo. Their wings are clipped. Their beaks are cut, tails chopped, and their nails are removed. These birds that were created to live in their natural environment are caged by human beings. It is against the law. Our NGO is an animal welfare organization that continues to work towards rehabilitating birds and animals that are in danger,” Joseph says.

As soon as the group receives a call that an animal or a bird is in danger, the active volunteers of Animal Rescuers rush to the spot and the animal or bird is transported to the veterinary centre of the Coimbatore District Forest Department, located in RS Puram.

The in-house veterinary doctor examines the bird or animal and necessary treatment is given. Once the bird or animal is fit and healthy, it is released in its natural environment. “With the help of the Coimbatore District Forest Department, we have treated and rehabilitate several animals and birds in the last three years. The Coimbatore District Forest Department aviary also doubles up as a temporary home for the birds and animals until they are fit and healthy.” Joseph says.

Currently, Animal Rescuers has about 15 active members and about 100 volunteers. The active members of this group also work towards spreading the message o not caging the birds. One of their notable efforts is their ‘born to fly’ campaign. In 2012 and 2013, Animal Rescuers using grains created art work to convey the message about not caging parakeets. This art work was on display at Brookefields Mall and at CMS Matriculation Higher Secondary School in the city. The grains that were used to create the art work were distributed to the public. People who collected the grains were taught how to feed them to the birds and animals.

Funding to rescue and rehabilitate the birds and animals currently comes from the team of active members and known sources. Animal Rescuers can be reached at 98653-21276.