Here is What you Missed at Pune's Animal Rights Boot camp

FIAPO has been conducting boot camps throughout the country, with the aim of accelerating the progress of animal rights movement. These training workshops act as a platform for scattered animal activists to come together, share their knowledge and work collectively.

The workshop conducted on the 15^th to 17^th of December, in Pune saw a gathering of animal rights activists from various parts of the country. It was a platform where budding activists came together with experienced ones in one room with the aim of giving direction to the animal rights movement. Some of the prominent speakers who took various sessions were Norma Alvares (chairperson of FIAPO and PFA, Goa) , Shakunthala Mazumdar (founder of SPCA, Thane),  Dawn William (general manager, Blue Cross of India), Erika Abrams (co-founder, Animal Aid Unlimited), Darshana Muzumdar (Living Free Pune), Claire Abrams (co-founder, Animal Aid Unlimited), Neha Panchamiya (president, ResQ) and Aneeha Patwardhan (India outreach manager, Vegan Outreach).

Image Courtesy FIAPO

The three day residential workshop gave a detailed insight regarding the problems faced by activists relating to the organization of volunteers, fundraising, and communications. After a general discussion about the management and retention of volunteers; there were in-depth sessions specializing in ABC (Animal Birth Control) and sheltering, vegan outreach, law enforcement, and rescue.

The vegan outreach, in particular, was about finding effective ways of creating awareness about veganism. The session was quite informative with accomplished activists like Jessika Ava (director, international programme, FARM) and Julie O’Neill (The Save movement, Toronto) who shared their experiences and opinions- right from making your voice heard, distributing pamphlets, connecting with the public and motivating them to change, the session included a detailed discussion on each and every aspect of vegan outreach.

Similarly, other sessions discussed the animal laws in our country, their enforcement, proper application of the laws, how to rescue and provide first aid, ways to shelter animals, where to ask for help and whom to contact in case of emergency.

In addition to this, it was a paradise for delicious vegan food options. Breakfast, Lunch and other breaks in between gave the attendees and the youth an opportunity to communicate with one another about various issues, plans, achievements they've received in their respective journey. Such residential programs give every activist a chance to open up, interact with and learn from others facing similar hurdles.

Did you miss this boot camp? Grab your seat in the upcoming Boot Camp to be organized in Kolkata in March 2018. 

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Feature Image Courtesy: FIAPO