DID YOU KNOW: You can adopt animals too

Chandigarh, October 30, 2012: The Punjab Government has initiated a new scheme called ''Animal Adoption Scheme'' enabling the individuals, NGO, Corporate houses. Industialists and companies to adopt animals of their choice in the Zoos of Punjab by meeting the expenses of their food, medicines and upkeep of their houses in the zoos on annual basis.

Disclosing this here today, Forest Minister Punjab Surjit Kumar Jayani said that the department had worked out the financial modalities for such adoption. The adoptions of animals could be done any time during the year by simply depositing the calculated amount in the selected zoo for the animal to be adopted. Jayani further said that efforts would also be made that the adopters get income tax exemption on the amount donated for this purpose. Such schemes were becoming popular in the Zoos of India like Mysore Zoo, Lucknow Zoo and so on.

Jayani said that the adoption programme was aimed at exhibiting support for wildlife conservation, by adopting your favorite animal; you contribute towards feeding of the animal for one-full year/month and support zoos efforts in wildlife conservation. Zoos were involved in captive breeds programme for endangered species and their conservation projects all which need support of concerned people like you and your institution, he said.

The animal adopter name would be prominently displayed on a board near the adopted animal's enclosure and allowed free entry pass for his family or for five persons to visit Zoo 4 times in a year. The adopter would be permitted up to the animal complex to meet the adopted animal every week and also would invite as a special guest during various celebrations where public functions are involved. The adopter would be ex-officio member of Zoos development society. The adopter would get a certificate of adoption and get all information regarding animal.