Arc De Triumph

The organisation in mention here is Noah’s ARC (Animal Rescue Centre). And just like the above-mentioned kittens; there is a different story behind every animal that has been rescued by the team. Like for instance the story of a horse that was recently rescued is equally appalling. The owner of the horse had abandoned it,as it was getting weak and old. Owing to which the horse,which had been wandering aimlessly,was found lying on the ground with bruises for three days without food and water. Some people got in touch with the group and he was brought to the farm and given medication. The horse is recovering and is named Ginger. Similarly the team saved a three-legged rabbit,a dog whose jaw was broken,and so on.

The rescued animals are kept on a farm located between Kondhwa and Katraj and is spread out over an area of 1.5 acres. “Currently the farm has 52 dogs,21 cats,two horses,two goats,three rabbits,a few cows and buffaloes. We are also into rescuing injured birds but they are set free after they are completely cured,” says Lorenzo Standen,takes care of the rescue operations single-handedly in the city. Others in the team include Nandita Saigal and Urmila Dabholkar,who look after other activities at the organisation.

Though Noah’s ARC was started in the year 2002 and was terminated later,it was set up again in November last year. The group focuses on abandoned old animals,injured ones,adoption and aggressive pets. “We receive calls from all over the city but we need atleast an hour as buffer time to reach the spot. However,in case of an emergency,we get in touch with our volunteer in a nearby area so that he can provide temporary help,” says Standen. The organisation has tied up with few veterinary doctors in the city who offer their services as and when required,even in the middle of the night.

There are times when the group had to go out of its way to save an animal. In one such case a butcher who had a small buffalo having skin disease did not slaughter it because of the skin disease but he wasn’t doing anything to cure it either. “It was suffering for no reason so when we got to know about it,we paid the butcher some amount and got it to our farm and we call her Rose,” adds Standen,who let go off a lucrative job at Ventura to follow his passion.

He has been working for this cause since last 15 years and feels that people these days are more sensitive towards animals and birds than what they were around a decade back. He says,“There are people who despite not being animal lovers get in touch with us when they come across some animal in need.”

(To help an animal or bird in need,contact Lorenzo Standen 9049999060)