Humane Society International/India celebrate International Dog Day

Shares their adoption stories of its volunteers and community members

There is an increasing trend of people adopting street dogs which is a positive trend. Amid Coronavirus pandemic we see people came forward to feed the dogs and help them live in between such difficult times.

To honour all the Indian street dogs on the occasion of International Dog Day, Humane Society International/India is sharing a stories of hope, where communities have given homes to their neighbourhood dogs.

1. Brownie, who finally found a forever home!

In Lucknow, a little puppy, Brownie was rescued by HSI/India and was adopted by a family, but on follow up, the team found that the family wasn’t taking proper care and weren’t providing little brownie with enough food or water.

HSI/India through its community engagement program, “Abhay Sankalp” and volunteer Komal Pandey, intervened in the case and put out an appeal. Ram Pal, expressed interest in adopting the pup.

Next day, the team and along with, Komal completed the adoption process and handed over the puppy to Ram Lal’s family. Brownie has been a member of the family for a few months now and is showered with love. Ram Lal, during a follow up meeting, said, “We share a special bond with Brownie even though he is a street dog. He loves and plays with us and we will never let him go away from us”.

2. Love is Love, Even Doggie Love

Whether a pure bred dog or a street dog, they are sure to become your best friend and can be an excellent pet as well. Recently a resident of Lucknow, Violet Baliye was looking for an adoption after her pet Labrador of many years passed away. HSI/India team with the help of its community volunteers helped Violet adopt a puppy from the streets. She named him Shadow.

After the adoption process, Violet says, “My daughter and I are happy to have a new member in our family. Shadow has filled the empty space and we will give him all the love we used to give to our first pet!”

3. You are giving them a safer home!

A home can be a safer place for a street dog, if it provides the animal with all the five freedoms. During the nationwide lockdown, Sonal Tadvi from Vadodara, HSI/India’s volunteer adopted a pet dog, Zili who was abandoned by her owners.

Sonal witnessed that her owners were going back to their hometown due to the global pandemic and they were not able to take their pet along with them.

Sonal waited long in the hope that the owners will come back but all was in vain. Zili was being attacked by other male dogs and was suffering a lot on the streets. Sonal came to her rescue and has not had a single day of regret since Zili has become a part of her life.

4. Taking them Off the Streets!

Taking the dog off the streets is the first step, following this, a responsible pet owner must vaccinate and sterilize the dog. Mamta, a resident of Dehradun, had been witness to a female street dog’s misery. She was constantly being impregnated by the male dogs in the vicinity and the puppies were often dying painful deaths due to accidents.

She brought the dog to the HSI/India facility and had her sterilized when she’d weaned off her pups. While at the centre, and after speaking with the team, she made a decision to give the dog a home and adopted her. Kali, is happy and healthy with Mamta.

Adopting a street dog is one way to give it a better life.