Pet Library in Kolkata, India

I don't like pets!!! Thats right. I think all they do is keep u occupied in arranging their food, cleaning their sh**, cleaning your own home twice and what not. They are twice as occupying as ordinary humans and half as entertaining.. But I like animals!!

And half way through the short span of my human incarnation, I feel, I have missed something in this department.. Looking back I find never in my childhood did I ever entertain a pet nor I cared for having one. I somehow held always the views stated in the first para. But now I feel that no more in my active or passive thoughts do I find any space for animals. Sometimes I feel so biased towards human comforts that I even consider animal lives a second priority to a man's convinience. In my ideals space, there is no room for these poor beings... Am I not an animal myself ???

An environment friendly TV program broadcasted on Indian National TV called Bhoomi (meaning Earth) recently provided me the friction to bring these passive thoughts to a point of active debate within myself. It proposed a decent solution too. So, here's what I found pretty exciting about whats already happening in the Pet Library, Kolkata.

What these guys did is that they thought of this pretty smart idea of extending the traditional approach of book library to a new dimension. They invented a new library in which a person could check out pets like books. Read them. Understand them. Enjoy them. Relish them... like normal pets. But just for two weeks. Thats right. They are supposed to return the books (err Pets) at the due date.. Right! And thats what these pet readers do. And if they like their read then sure they can check the pet out for another fortnight and possibly if the library feels comfortable then even own their favorite pet..

This sure will increase the affinity of people for animals without affecting their life in a irreversible way. People will enjoy exploring the realm of having diffent animals at their homes and will feel closer to animals in general. Without the boundation it will be fun won't it???? ... NOPS.. Some people might rightly think that this might be an unhealthy practice looking from the perspective of the animals safety and health. Who can guarentee that the pet will go in experienced hands all the time. It might land up in a uncaring, ignorant amateur's hands, get harassed and might even lose its health and in worst cases even its life..

Rightly so.. But the hurdle doesn't seem big enough to discourage such a noble and interesting thought. The library besides, do take many preventions to minimize if not stop the misuse of pet library. First the libary employs experienced professionals to train the readers about the needs of the pet they choose to check out. Detailed books and instructions are provided to assist them with all the pets' needs and how to overcome issues whenever something goes wrong. Second the time duration of keeping a pet is kept 2 weeks after which the pet goes through a check up when its health is inspected. And third obviously the pets are given to people only after a small interview assuring that the reader is genuinely interested in the pet and has a love for animals or not.. NO!! Hey u just got thrown out of the pet library buddy!!

One final thought that impressed me even more. These guys issue pets only to children between the age of 7 to 12. I think its a great thought because only kids this age are really stressfree enough to trust our precious animals upon. Plus they have a care of mom and dad too.. And finally only these kids when they grow up will realize animals needs when they reach my age.. All because of a Pet Library in their city..

Now this looks like an idea to bring out.. THE ANIMALS INSIDE YOU!! Ain't it??