ANJALI YADAV/ Dehradun
From feeding to adopting, the residents across the city are increasingly opening their homes and hearts for street dogs, reflecting a growing culture of compassion and responsibility toward stray animals.
With the number of street dogs in Dehradun witnessing a steady rise, the residents, animal rescuers and shelters are increasingly stepping forward to care for and protect the strays.
Garima, who runs a street dog shelter, said that the shelter rescues nearly 40 to 60 animals every month. “During Deepawali and Holi festivals, cases rise sharply due to firecracker injuries and skin allergies. Around New Year, we see more road accident cases involving dogs,” she said, adding that the nearly 120 street dogs are currently housed at the shelter.
According to Garima, rescued dogs are treated and kept under observation for 10 to 15 days. “After recovery, they are either rehabilitated, adopted or released back to their original locations,” she said.
However, adoption remains a major challenge, Garima admitted and said public preference is largely limited to puppies. “Most people want two-month-old puppies. Adoption queries for adult dogs are very rare and female dogs are the least preferred due to misconceptions related to breeding and health,” she noted. She added that even among adult dogs, people prefer pedigree breeds such as Labradors and German Shepherds, while indie dogs are often ignored despite being more immune and resilient. The shelter conducts four to five adoption and awareness camps every month, mostly promoted through social media.
Independent animal rescuers are also playing a crucial role. Puja Bahughandi, who is currently caring for 108 dogs, said that she provides regular food and medical support whenever required. Referring to Aloka, the pariah dog accompanying monks on a peace walk with monks in the USA, she said that the movement highlights the emotional bond and loyalty street dogs share with humans, encouraging people to treat them with compassion.
The Doonites are also contributing at an individual level. Sandhya Kumari said that a puppy began visiting her house daily, after which feeding him became a routine. “If he falls ill, I take him to a doctor,” she said, adding that the dog alerts her by barking whenever strangers approach the house.
