Silent sufferings of voiceless animal

A calico mixed-breed cat lay motionless in a cramped cage. I went close to the cage, softly mimicking a cat’s sound, hoping to lift her spirits, but she was too weak to respond. Her glassy eyes, flickering with a faint light, seemed to plead, 'Please, save me.' No I’m not making this up, it's just a glimpse into the daily horrors of Kataban’s pet shops. The cage was so small that the cat could barely move. Her dish held only rotten cat food and stale rice. Tragically, she wasn’t alone—over 100 other animals were trapped in similar conditions, counting down their days to death.

Tucked away in the bustling heart of Dhaka lies Kataban Market, a notorious hub for the sale of pets and exotic animals. For years, this market has operated in the shadows, where animals are treated not as living beings but as mere commodities. More than 75 pet shops are currently operating in the Katabon pet market. In nearly all of these shops, the condition is the same: insufficient food, lack of clean water, poor ventilation, and congested cages. As for hygiene—forget about it. The conditions are beyond appalling, a nightmare for any living being. The animals are trapped in these miserable conditions, barely clinging to life. These conditions, coupled with the sudden COVID-19 lockdown, resulted in Katabon Market becoming a site of tragedy as thousands of animals perished due to the sudden and prolonged closure of shops. Official reports indicated that 17,000 animals died during this period, but it is widely believed that the actual death toll could be five times higher. The forced closure left the animals without adequate ventilation, formation of gas, food, or water, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. One shopkeeper reported that over 20% of the animals in his shop died during the lockdown.

In 2020, Swapan Das, a shopkeeper at the Katabon pet market, gained significant attention after sharing a heart-wrenching account of the conditions at the market on social media. In his post, he described the appalling treatment of animals, highlighting the overcrowded cages, lack of food and water, and the overall neglect that the animals endured. The post quickly went viral, leading to widespread public outrage. This Prompted the Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim to visit the market and attempted to enforce some animal welfare regulations on the Katabon shopkeepers. However, these measures failed to significantly improve the animals' conditions, and their suffering continued unabated.

Bangladesh's Animal Welfare Act of 2019 establishes guidelines to ensure humane treatment of animals, prohibiting cruelty such as overfeeding, underfeeding, and harmful medications. It includes penalties for violations and adheres to World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) standards for humane euthanasia though the enforcement is weak.

Bangladesh has a growing number of animal welfare centers, though the exact count is difficult to determine due to the varied nature of these organizations. Prominent groups like Obhoyaronno, PAW Foundation, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation, Care for Paws, and Dhaka Animal Welfare Foundation contribute significantly to animal well-being through rescue and rehabilitation, sterilization and vaccination programs, and adoption services. They also focus on public education and awareness campaigns about humane treatment, and advocate for stronger animal welfare laws.

More than a thousand people's livelihoods are directly or indirectly connected with the Katabon market in Dhaka. These individuals, many of whom are small business owners, have been running their pet shops for years, often inheriting the trade from previous generations. Katabon has become a tradition since the 1970s, with thousands of lives depending on this unethical market. It's popular not only for its long history but also for the variety of animal breeds found here, attracting buyers and sellers from all over the country.

Given its significance, shutting down Katabon overnight is not feasible. However, the market's eventual closure is necessary and can only be achieved through raising awareness among the masses. Gradually, with increased understanding of animal welfare and alternative solutions, the transition away from Katabon can begin, ensuring a more humane future for the animals and the people involved.

But for now , here are some measures that should be taken to safegaurd the safety of animals and pets

1. Increase Animal Welfare Centers

2. Strengthen Animal Protection Laws

3. Raise Public Awareness

4. Implementation of strict laws and regulation on pet shops.

5. Promote and support adoption programs.

6. Encourage Community Involvement

7. Offer financial incentives or aid to animal welfare organizations to enhance their capabilities.

The journey towards a more compassionate society, the ethos of ""Adopt, Don’t Shop"" serves as a powerful reminder. Instead of perpetuating the cycle of breeding and selling animals, we must focus on giving a second chance to those who are already here, waiting for a loving home. By adopting, we not only save lives but also take a stand against the inhumane practices prevalent in markets like Katabon. The shift from shopping to adopting is more than a trend—it's a movement towards ethical responsibility and kindness that can transform the lives of countless animals.

The writeup was submitted via Publish Now on August 17, 2024. The article represents the view(s) of the Author(s) and does not necessarily represent the view(s) of What's Next Bangladesh.