Duties of An Honorary Animal Welfare Officer

 

 

  1. An Honorary Animal Welfare Officer (HAWO) should have a thorough knowledge of all the Animal Welfare Laws and especially the following laws:

·         The Performing Animals Rules, 1973

·         The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Licensing of Farriers) Rules,

·         The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, amended 1968

·         The Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001

 

  1. The Honorary Animal Welfare Officer is expected to prevent illicit slaughter and if any report of illicit slaughter is made, the case must be immediately reported to the concerned authorities and care should be taken to make sure that the illegal slaughtering is immediately stopped.

 

  1. Cruelties to animals during transportation are often severe and the HAWO should immediately report incidents of cruelty to the authorities and ensure that strict legal action is enforced on the offenders.

 

  1. Public awareness and sensitization of young people to animal welfare issues is vital. Therefore, it is expected that the HAWO regularly conduct Humane Education Programmes in the Schools and Colleges of his / her town, city or village.

 

  1. During natural calamites, the HAWO must network with like-minded people in the neighborhood and organize for immediate rescue operations and emergency relief for the helpless animals.

 

  1. An important duty of an HAWO is to make sure that animals like bears and monkeys are not used as performing animals in the neighborhood and not subjected to cruelty and suffering.

 

  1. Preventing the suffering that bullocks, horses, donkeys and camels undergo when used for draught energy, through sensitization and education of the animal owners is a key responsibility that HAWOs must fulfill with complete dedication.

 

  1. The HAWO must do his or her best to prevent the misuse and abuse of oxytocin in milking animals by educating the dairy farmers.

 

  1. Participation in coordinating or organizing training programs for villagers on setting up self sustaining gaushalas is a task that HAWOs must execute sincerely.

 

  1.  The HAWO is expected to organize first aid, veterinary care, food and shelter for sick and destitute animals

 

  1. Attention to the proper care and management of birds and fish maintained in aviaries and aquaria and prevention of cruelties is another important duty that HAWOs must vigilantly carry out.

 

  1.  The HAWO is expected to be thorough with the PCA act, rules and regulations & he/she should be able to conduct training programs on legislation issues in animal welfare for police personnel and lawyers.

 

  1. It is expected that HAWOs organize mobile clinics and veterinary camps for stray animals and for animals belonging to poor people, especially in areas where veterinary services are not available.

 

  1. The HAWO is expected to sensitize the community and take appropriate remedial measures to prevent cruelty to animals from happening – eg.animal sacrifice, Jallikattu, bull fights, cock fights and ram fights.

 

  1. Establishing good rapport with the press and electronic media to create extensive public awareness on animal welfare issues is another key role that an HAWO should carry out diligently.

 

  1.  The use of animals by the entertainment industry should be vigilantly monitored by the HAWO by attending the film shoots and being physically present at religious and social events where animals are brought together to prevent cruelty to animals.

 

HAWO’s are expected to keep close liaison with law enforcement agencies such as Police, Forest, Customs & Excise, etc. for effective enforcement of animal welfare laws and work in close co-ordination with Members of Animal Welfare Board of India, General Public and Animal Welfare Organisations of the area to promote animal welfare in the country.