Greetings! My husband's sister is getting married in Ooty in January. We are of course, going for the wedding. Since I am going to be in India, I would like to travel to some other destinations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Give it to me straight (but without any nasty details please!) is the stray animal situation truly horrible? I am a HUGE animal lover and VERY nervous about this. I've heard it is really horrifying, and that scares me. Is this just hype or what? Thanks.

I have to word this carefully so I don't get pounced on!

The term 'stray animal' roughly means not caged, tied up, trapped, domesticated or whatever.
If you are a 'real animal lover' it is worth taking a moment to realise that although in many countries you may see animals injured, thin, scavaging etc that in many other coumtries you don't see this simply because they are 'terminated / eliminated'.

Animals in their wild natural habitats exist in the 'chain of life'.

When I see a 3 legged dog in Thailand ( that is not necessarily "suffering" but getting on with it's life ) as an animal lover I realise that in other parts of the world that little doggy would have been 'terminated'.

I am afraid that I am no more of the 'kind' that believes 'elimanating' any creature that is slightly damaged, thin or having to hunt for food etc than I would be who thought the same for humans in such a condition.

So if a true animal lover you can always find places to donate food, or leave cash for medications with local vets, or donate to local vets etc, but I should not worry too much about stray animals as although you may worry about their 'lot' in life, quite rightly, remember the alternatives to their 'freedomm.

Before anyone asks, no, we don't let the pets eat off our dinner plates, but then again, we don't eat off of theirs!

Well said James.

I totally see what you are saying, and I agree, maybe there are "strays" because they don't just put them down like they would in many places. In any case, I can deal (somewhat!) with seeing strays. What I cannot deal with, is seeing suffering. So I guess what I'm trying to understand is if I will see a bunch of animal suffering that will disturb me. Or, is the issue of sick/starving animals there overblown?

We have to be careful here. I don't want to drift away from the question or it's relevence to travel.

From 'my' point of view you might well see an animal which you think is 'suffering', but is 'destroying' the animal fair or the answer! they cannot speak for themselves after all.

There is a world of difference between 'any' living creature writhing in demented/tormented pain as opposed to a creature that just does not 'look like' a well groomed and fattened creature many may be used to seeing.

I can only relate to here in Thailand, many people talk about the 'poor stray dogs', hey, they are happier doing their 'own thing' than being stuck is some 5th floor apartment or kept inside a small yard. I know local dogs who walk across to say 'Hi', we put food out and often add some 'anti lice/worm' powder and vitamins to it to help them, but the idea is to 'help them on their way' not to turn them into dogs that cannot fend for themselves, we try and be realistic. Many other people and food stalls give out food to the dogs here and there is a reasonable co-existance, though I am just as wary of say a pack of dogs as I would be a pack of rowdy humans, common sense.

In India you will no doubt see cattle that look thin, but hey, many of the people don't have enough to eat either.

You have the opportunity to help, donating to local vets etc, it's easy. But honestly as an animal lover although having 'sympathy' I would not let it worry you, as I am sure you realise, just like people, there are many who suffer but that doesn't mean they do not prefer to be alive!

When you see that thin looking cow in India, don't think those fattened up cattle in your home country are happier, especialy if they 'knew' what was in store for them! Sweet little lambs running in the fields are destined for someone's dinner table.

Those 'strays' or wandering animals I doubt would swop places!!

Enjoy your trip, don't worry about it, and just remember what would happen to those 'strays' back home ! - That's the answer.

Well, I haven't been to Ooty, Kerala or Tamil Nadu but I've visited the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra & Jaipur) in India. There are animals everywhere - camels, oxen, cows and monkeys, in particular. The cows and monkeys could be considered "strays" I suppose but they did not seem malnourished and were just part of the scenery. The only thing that was disturbing were the "dancing bears" by the side of the road whose "owners" were trying to earn tips for their display. So, bottom line - nothing really "horrifying" - don't worry - enjoy India, its an amazing country.

There is no point in being PC about this. You will see thousands of mangy looking cattle, dogs, pigs, goats, monkeys, etc., rummaging through garbage on the streets of the cities, sleeping on the roads, and generally wandering India. So many, in fact, that you always watch where you are stepping, even in the nicest areas.

If you will be horrified by their appearance, India will be a traumatic experience to you.

If you can just accept that stray animals (and also "stray" humans) are a fact of life in India and other third world places, you'll be able to enjoy this fascinating country.

Your attitude is the key thing to enjoying travel.

Wow- I'm curious to know why she's getting married in Ooty. I went to boarding school near Ooty (a place called Lovedale). Ooty on it's own is a run down town that's passed it's glory. The areas around are beautiful. I remember a bunch of us went on a trip and sat at the back of a truck and saw the most beautiful scenery - we were afraid though of monkeys that looked like they wanted to jump into our truck.
Anyway, being from Kerala I can recommend it as well. The backwaters are gorgeous and a must-see. The rest depends on your interests.

lucy...even better said...i think i could substitue the word humans for animals in your description as well and this is far more disturbing to me...
we have to keep things in perspective!!

Hi Bob! How's your planning for Nov coming along? Can I come with you??

See you Oct 7!

planning is complete...yes we would welcome you of course...and looking forward to boston GTG on oct 7...its going to be a big crowd i think with many "regulars" able to come...

Rading this thread I remembered this brilliant photograph by Steve McCurry. It says it all.

http://www.stevemccurry.com/gallery/...;imageIndex=15


Make sure you look at the other pictures, too.

And this one -

http://www.stevemccurry.com/gallery/...;imageIndex=16

agtaou, that image #16

Well, if you ever needed proof that a picture is worth a thousand words, that is the one !

Absoluely 100% says it all, far better than I attempted to put it across !

cambridge, MA, usa is now a city welcoming all strays, why don't we take a collection and send them all there...

Well spoken thoughts on India & the idea of "stray" animals.

One thing my guides commented on though was the refuse like platic bags everywhere and how the cows are choking on them.

So the problem is getting ride of the garbage, not getting rid of stray cows.

www.waynehazle.com/india/

The picture of the man with the cloth around his mouth and the ships in the background is, I think, in a place on the Arabian Sea called Anang where ships are sent to be dismantled. There was an episode about this on Discovery. the work is dangerous an dof course for the workers its at their own risk. here is a link to an article about this.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...13/ai_n6219968

Sorry the place is ALANG.