World Animal Day: Celebs talk about animal cruelty and what can be done to stop it!

World Animal Day is observed on October 4 every year. We spoke to a few celebrities about animal cruelty and what more can be done to stop it, here's what they had to say:

Vijayendra Kumeria: I think because of social media people have started noticing about animal cruelty more, and it's a very good thing. We have seen videos of people beating up animals or stopping others from giving them food. They should be publicly shamed, not just on social media, but on other platforms as well. How we can help animals or strays is by offering them food when we see them. Don't give them leftovers or food that has gone bad, that's like disrespecting them. Also, don't litter. The animals living on the roads survive on garbage, so don't throw plastic on the road.

I don't think there is anything to be scared of one's pet. For their owners, they are not pets, they are family. So treat them like one and you will get so much love back from them.

Meera Deosthale: It's a sad reality today that even after so much awareness people just don't respect animals. I have seen videos on social media of young boys and girls objecting to hitting animals but instead the ones who are guilty have abused and harassed them. What more can be done is to have more pet shelters, so that they have a place to live in. Each building can collectively contribute and feed strays that live around their area. Also, use the power of social media and report any animal cruelty you witness, nobody likes to be shamed infront of the whole world, tag them, put their name, so that people know who they are. I always carry some biscuits with me and whenever I see a stray animal I feed them. And for those who don't have a pet and are scared of other people's pets, let go of your fears, they are someone's family and you must respect them and love them.

Vidhi Pandya: I feel sorry for those who are cruel towards animals. I have seen videos of Elephant safaris where they are hit by a stick with nails on it, then there was another case of a man abusing small pups, then there was a case of poisoning 16 puppies, these are just a few of the cases that we have heard about. I strongly feel that the people who do this are not human, and they are neither good towards fellow humans. What can be done to stop this, is to have much stricter laws and quick punishments. People should be afraid of thinking bad about animals.

I always feed strays. It gives me so much joy. And I feel others should do it, because it's a good deed that you are doing and good will surely come back to you.

Hasan Zaidi: It is very important to have apathy for any living thing, be it humans, animals or plants. We as human race have been selfish enough to colonize and basically take away all the resources from this beautiful planet, whereas the animals only have love to give it only to the routine that nature provided them with.

I have a cat and I'm part of all the pet groups and we keep doing adoptions, we keep taking them to their checkups and there is a good band of friends and people in the community who really look out for pets, strays and animals in distress and it is beautiful to learn from people who are so in tune with feelings and requirements of animals. Apart from that it is just great to see my daughter and kids, teach you so much about love and selflessness that's something that we all should imbibe.