Animal Water Bowls of India: Hyderabad firm develops app to keep track of water bowls for animals

Hyderabad: During summer, several NGOs, communities, and individuals place water bowls for animals, however, they do not refill the bowls or maintain them. In a bid to solve this problem, Hyderabad-based BesTet Technologies has designed a mobile app called Animal Water Bowls of India that indicates whether a bowl is empty or full.

The app has a "bowl map" where every bowl is GPS tracked. It also gives updates on the filling of the bowls with fresh water every 24 hours.

"Animals require water every day. Many people often forget to refill their water bowls. If we don't refill them, then the whole initiative makes no sense," says Ashok Gantala, the CEO of BesTet Technologies.

Dr. S. Ramchander, the director of veterinary and animal husbandry, launched the app on Saturday.

"Placing water bowls for animals is an act of compassion, but ensuring that there's fresh water throughout the day is important," said Jesslina Sahni of BesTet Technologies. "It is important that the public participates in providing basic needs to street dogs and other animals. We created this app with an idea to involve the public in refilling the bowls for animals," she added.

Refill the bowls or place new ones

One can register themselves on the app and check out the nearest water bowls. If a water bowl has not been filled by anyone for more than 24 hours, it will be marked as dry. All one has to do is fill the water bowl, take a picture of the same, and save it on the app. Once the water is replenished, the bowl will be marked as filled.

One can also put up their own water bowl in various localities. After registering on the app, click on the 'plus' icon. Upload the picture of the bowl along with other details and the bowl will automatically reflect on the maps.

"The primary aim is for NGOs and people to install bowls in more areas rather than focus on areas where there are many bowls already available," said BesTet's IT head Anushka Chhibber. The map also helps in wide coverage and lane-wise view, she added.

"Freshwater is not only required in summer but throughout the year. Post-summer, when the water is not replaced, mosquitoes begin to breed. The regular filling of bowls will stop mosquito breeding and provide clean, safe drinking water to the birds and animals," she added.

Additionally, the app also has a feature to specify the size of the bowl to estimate the water capacity. Bowls are categorised as per the animals – birds, dogs, cats, cows, buffalos, and more.

The Animal Water Bowls of India was developed by a four-member team at BesTet Technologies as part of their humane approach to animal welfare.

The app is currently only available on the Google Play store.

Cover Picture: Anipixels.com