The Urban Animal Project: Buddy House (Cam 1)
Director: Nisha Vasudevan
Duration: 00:06:06; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 35.895; Saturation: 0.062; Lightness: 0.335; Volume: 0.234; Cuts per Minute: 25.376
Summary: Cities are not “natural habitats”. However, over the years cities have become the spaces in which many animals have evolved; they are now the homes on which they have imprinted. The Urban Animal Project aims to document these species against the backdrop of a cityscape.
This is a work-in-progress which will be conducted in many phases, the first of which looks at land mammals in the city of Mumbai. Phase I delves into the reasons these animals are present in such a physical environment as opposed to existing in the wild. At the same time, it investigates what provisions are available for them and whether or not they are implemented. These laws are looked into with reference and from the point of view of municipal bodies, non-profit organisations, veterinary practice and the current curriculum, the meat and dairy industries, beasts of burden, animal trade and the role of superstition, among others.
Over time, The Urban Animal Project is expected to expand into marine life, protected areas within cities, birds, monsoon ecosystems and hopefully many other areas.
This set of clips have been shot at Buddy House, which shelters cats and some birds in separate enclosures. The clips have been joined (in no particular order) until the time that they are edited into the documentary. This section does not house sick animals but many amputees and blind cats are living in it.
Currently being worked on by Namaah Kumar, Reema Sengupta, Falak Mulchandani and Nisha Vasudevan. Each phase of The Urban Animal Project will be edited into short documentaries.
Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals
Buddy House
Mumbai
Parel
cats
peacocks
shelter
This didn't look natural to us at all. It looks as if the cats eyes have been scooped out.
In any case, nobody wants to adopt a cat who is blind. Adopters prefer kittens, or certain coloured cats, or pedigree animals. It is rare that a person adopts solely with the intention of giving an animal a better standard of living.
This cat lives here, and seems healthy apart from its disability. It is quick to react to sounds, and that's quite something by human standards :)
This is Buddy House - it's very spacious and green. There is a section for cats and a section for birds. There are also monkeys and rabbits in Buddy House!
Many MANY cats live in Buddy House, and most of them are starving for a little cuddle or attention. They are domesticated and not wild at all.
"The yowl of a cat in a suburban night is there to remind us that life was not always as tamed, as semi-detached and interior decorated as the life we are living now."
- Christine Harris
Cats can get anywhere.
This cat does not live in the shelter, but elsewhere. The handler says she only comes to eat here and then returns to her home.
Note: Cats can get ANYWHERE.
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