This goes out to all the animal lovers out there! Stray, lost and unloved animals, that need care and protection by us humans, can be found everywhere in the country! But there’s hope, and this hope comes in the form of small organisations also known as Animal shelters which run on donations, volunteers and faith. Take a look at a few of these altruistic bodies that all of us might want to be a part of. 

1. People for animals - One of India’s largest animal welfare organisations with a nation-wide network of 26 hospitals and 165 units, People for animals or PFA works to rescue and rehabilitate sick and abandoned animals. With over 2.5 lakh members and over 50k followers on Facebook, PFA is bringing about a significant change in the attitude towards animal life in India.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/people4animals

2. Friendicoes – This New Delhi-based NGO has been rehabilitating animals in need for the last 35 years. Having witnessed tremendous growth and reach since its inception, Friendicoes looks after and finds homes for abandoned and rescued animals and runs a mobile clinic as well.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/friendicoesindia

3. The Voice of Stray Dogs – VOSD is a privately-run not-for-profit organisation based in Bengaluru.  Providing state-of-the-art services including monitored helplines, CRM-based tracking, modern vet services including MRIs, X-rays, diagnostics, sophisticated surgery and rehab for free to the dog on the street, we personally hope VOSD opens more shelters across the country.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/strays.in

4. Red Paws Rescue – Another one of the NGOs doing brilliant work in the capital, Red Paws Rescue seeks to rescue stray and abandoned dogs. Being closely associated with several animal shelters throughout the country, Red Paws Rescueaims at finding homes for abandoned pooches. It places these pets into loving homes and conducts mass sterilisationsof stray animals in different zones across Delhi.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/redpawsrescue

5. Animal Rescue Corps (Gurgaon) – As the name suggests, this Gurgaon-based NGO is fully run by volunteers aiming at rescuing injured animals who have met with accidents. It also endeavours to create public awareness to bring animal suffering to a stop in the country.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/rescueanimalsgurgaon

6. Blue Cross of India – The motto of this animal shelter reads: ‘We exist to reduce animal suffering’ and we believe that’s all one needs to know from a promising shelter like BCI. This Chennai-based philanthropic body was established in 1959 and was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act in 1964, with the aim to alleviate the suffering of animals.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/bluecrossofindia

7. Animal Aid unlimited - Animal Aid Unlimited is a rescue centre, hospital and sanctuary for ownerless street animals in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Founded in 2002, the shelter aims at equality and protection of all animals and a complete end to the use and abuse of animals.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAidUnlimited

8. Dharamsala Animal Rescue - Dharamsala Animal Rescue was founded in order to humanely help stray dogs and protect the people of Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh from rabies. The animal shelter provides animal control and rescue programmes, adoption and community education.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/DharamsalaAnimalRescue

9. Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC) - The Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC) is India’s oldest and Delhi’s largest all-animal shelter. It was founded in 1980 from a legacy bequeathed by the late Mrs. Ruth Cowell of New South Wales, Australia to Sanjay Gandhi. The shelter is driven by the goal of rescuing, providing homes to, treating and rehabilitating sick and needy animals.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/sanjay.gandhiAAC

10. Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA) – Founded in 1996, this eco-sanctuary based in Vishakhapatnam deals with the rescue, protection and care of stray animals. The mission of the shelter is to save and protect animals, to promote an environment where suffering is absent, to preach a humane lifestyle (which is ideally a vegan diet) and teach animal-friendly farming throughout India.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/VSPCA

PS – If we have missed out any other crucial NGOs/Shelters out there which are doing the kind of work that deserves mention and must be highlighted, please drop in a comment below.