Holi, the “Festival of Colours” is around the corner. As you play around and enjoy getting drenched in colours, please be mindful that the same may be very torturous and harassing for street animals.

A few things to remember and teach kids and adults, alike:

1. Be sensitive, empathetic and understanding, these colours are toxic and harmful for all.

The coloured powders that are used during the festival are made with synthetic chemicals, which contain toxic metals or dyes that can cause skin allergies, rashes or even blindness in people and animals.

Animals can easily inhale the powder, which can cause nasal irritation and respiratory allergies or infections.

If an animal gets the powder in his or her eyes, quickly flush them out with clean water.

2. Teach children not to throw colours or water balloons at animals: Kids may or may not realise that this frightens and hurts animals and if animals react in self-defence then it’s you as a parent who has failed, but to shove yourself of that blame, you will blame the that animal. Why do this? Better would be to teach your child to be compassionate and kind towards these voiceless animals.

After all, kindness to animals will make this world a better place to live in.