As Bangladesh faces yet another sweltering summer, it's not just humans who suffer. Amid the rising temperatures, an often-ignored group silently endures the brunt of the heat - the street animals.
Unlike people who can seek shelter under fans, coolers or shaded spaces, stray dogs, cats, and birds are left exposed. Roads heat up like furnaces, and with little access to water or food, these animals struggle for survival. In Dhaka, where temperatures have neared 40°C, street animals can be seen panting, dehydrated, and desperately searching for relief. Small birds, unable to endure the heat, collapse on the roads in search of shade and water-often near sewers or trash heaps.
This suffering highlights not only the physical dangers animals face but also the indifference of society. While a few citizens and youth-led groups have stepped in offering water, food, and care, these efforts need wider support. The cruelty some animals face, whether through neglect or deliberate abuse, remains a shameful stain on our social conscience. According to the Animal Welfare Act, such cruelty is a punishable offence, yet it often goes unaddressed.
It is time for both government and citizens to act. City authorities can set up shaded shelters and water stations in every ward. Schools should educate students on animal welfare to build empathy from a young age. At the individual level, we can all help-by placing a water bowl outside, feeding a stray, or helping an injured animal.
A truly humane and civilized city is one where all beings-human or animal-are cared for. Let's not forget the silent companions who share our streets. In showing them compassion, we nurture the very essence of our humanity.
Maliha Mehnaj
Dhaka
malihamehnaj394@gmail.com
