Shifting Mindsets towards India's Stray Dogs

This year during my visit to India, I had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the plight of stray dogs. Growing up, I used to be very scared of the dogs on the streets; I would pick up a stone in my self-defense whenever I saw any dog approaching me. Today, I realize, how wrong I was at that time. I used to be scared of the stray dogs and they were equally scared of humans like me who didn't understand them.

Over time in my life, I became comfortable around dogs. Now I can understand their body language, thanks to our fur baby, Chiki who has been teaching us a lot. During this trip to India, for the first time I petted a few dogs and realized how loving the Indie dogs are. Thanks to Intuit We Care Give Back (WCGB) program, I also used my time to volunteer at the Foster Care of Help In Suffering - India shelter in Jaipur. At the shelter, I met many pups facing various challenges, from paralysis and viral infections to being orphaned when their mother passed away or those traumatized by abuse. Each of these dogs had a unique story and it was heartwarming to see their love and resilience.

A couple of weeks after leaving the shelter, upon checking up on some of the pups, I received the heartbreaking news that some of the pups I cared for and played with had passed away. I couldn't help but remember that some of these pups were healthy and playful even though they were paralyzed. What could have gone wrong?, I wondered. It's evident that despite the many efforts by the vets and the staff, shelters are not always ideal environments for these animals as they often contract other viral infections due to close proximity to other dogs. This was my first time volunteering at an animal shelter and it was a bittersweet experience for me. But this experience has made me realize that I would want to do it again and also make sure that I stay longer to ensure that each pup in my care could be well cared of. How will I do it, I am yet to think through.

During this time, I also connected with a few animal advocates and rescues dedicated to animal welfare in India. It was a delight to see that many people and organizations in India are now coming forward to help Indie dogs. Several small/big rescues and individuals are dedicating their efforts towards animal welfare; their efforts include rescuing, vaccinating, neutering, spaying, feeding, and adopting indie dogs. Despite these many efforts, we still have a long way to go and we cannot be successful unless every Indian household can make some space and heart for an Indie dog.

Below are some of my personal observations from this trip:

1. A significant portion of India's middle and upper-class population prefer buying dogs from breeders due to the reputation and prestige associated with certain breeds. In Ahmedabad, I saw a man walking a Husky puppy. India's temperature isn't favorable for animal with double coat fur, yet many families choose to buy the dogs without doing any research. Many first-time dog parents are unaware of the sad reality behind puppy mills and the unethical practices of breeding dogs repeatedly for monetary gain. To combat such breeding practices, we need to change our mindset and encourage adoption from streets and shelters.
2. Regular people, both adults and kids, are often afraid of dogs in their area and involve themselves in abusing strays. People who lack exposure to animals tend to be scared of stray dogs. To overcome this fear, parents must educate themselves and their children about treating animals with kindness. I have heard people commenting that the dogs in their community are dangerous because they have bitten people living in the community. However, nobody really cared to know 'why' the animal bit the person in the first place. An animal will harm a human only when triggered, and most often people don't care about analyzing the actual reason animal aggression. Therefore, a positive outlook towards stray animals is needed.
3. Reckless driving leaves many strays paralyzed or dead. In contrast to the West, India doesn't euthanize animals due to the lack of space. While this is kind , stray animals on the streets often face accidents intentionally or unintentionally. We must prioritize animal safety on the roads and drivers should be more cautious around stray animals.
4. I read it in some place - "Spaying is the only humane way to control animal population''. This is extremely crucial. In India, some dog owners are either unaware of this treatment or deliberately choose against it. While spaying can be expensive, it ensures that their beloved pet enjoys a comfortable, healthy and longer lifespan.

In conclusion, the state of stray Indie dogs in India is concerning, and we all need to take initiatives to control it. Encouraging adoption from streets and shelters is crucial to combat unethical breeding practices and eliminate puppy mills. Education is essential to eradicate the fear and abuse towards strays, and we need to prioritize animal safety on the roads to prevent fatal accidents. It's high time we change our mindset and save the innocent lives that deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

P.S.: If you have adopted an Indie dog and have a story to share, please do share it your network. We all need to hear the happy adoption stories and encourage others to do so.

If you are based out of India and would like to help, you could do so by sponsoring an Indie pup or by adopting virtually. Please DM me and I'll be happy to connect you to the genuine rescues working towards this cause.