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Bengaluru is home to thousands of street dogs, each struggling to survive the city’s bustling urban landscape. They’ve become a familiar, almost integral part of the city’s ever changing environment.
They adapt as best they can, often relying on kindness from people for food and shelter. But for many, survival is a daily challenge—they’re malnourished, exposed to harsh conditions and diseases, and are deprived of the affection they deserve.
One such dog we frequently encountered was a polite little canine on Church Street, whom we referred to as 'Church Street Doggo' (a truly original name I believe). Our interactions with him were brief—we’d give him a few pets, remark on what a distinguished gentleman he was, and then continue with our day. At first, he was just a fleeting moment in our otherwise busy lives, and we didn’t give him much thought.
Over time we learned that small business owners on Church Street were the ones feeding Church Street Doggo. He would sit down near the stalls on the weekends with his front paws crossed, receiving attention from the stall owners and everyone who passed by. He was small and skinny, being fed with scraps by the weekend crowds passing through. We began to wonder how he survived on off days when no one was around to take care of him.
Church Street Doggo’s situation isn’t unique. There are countless dogs like this in Bangalore. Plenty in worse situations. They are seen as a nuisance, beaten and chased away. They catch diseases, suffer injuries and struggle to eat.
While their population grows it becomes increasingly difficult to fix the situation. Overpopulation leads to intense competition for resources, exacerbating these conditions.
There are an estimated 3,00,000 street dogs in Bengaluru. While efforts are being made to control the population, the sheer scale of the issue poses a challenge. The BBMP has implemented various programs including sterilization drives and vaccination campaigns, but more sustained efforts are required. As the population of street dogs continues to rise, adoption emerges as a vital solution to not only control their numbers but also to improve their quality of life.
That brings us to the bright side of things. There is now a growing trend of adopting street dogs. The “adopt, don’t shop” movement is gaining momentum as more people recognize the situation of these animals and choose to help. This movement intends to save the lives of the dogs as well as foster a culture of compassion and community in the city. By adopting street dogs, we can take an active role in addressing the issue, making sure dogs like Church Street Doggo find the care they deserve.
Why should one adopt these dogs?
Those of us who have the space and the means to give a home to an animal should consider adopting these dogs. It can be an incredibly rewarding experience to give a loving home to these dogs, while also reducing the number of strays on the streets.
Here are a few reasons why people are adopting these dogs, and why you could too.
You’d be saving lives, rescuing these dogs from harsh conditions and giving them a home where they will be loved and taken care of. You’d also help solve the population issue, ending the severe competition for resources amongst strays.
Adopting a street dog is less expensive than buying a dog. Shelters and rescue organizations often include initial medical care, vaccinations and spaying in the adoption fee, offsetting initial costs of taking in a pet.
It reduces the demand for commercially bred pets and helps fight issues associated with irresponsible breeding and pet ownership practices.
Indies are fiercely loyal companions and just as lovable as any other dogs. They can be wonderful pets and form deep bonds with their adopters.
You would be contributing to a more compassionate, better community, promoting animal welfare and enriching your own life.
Community involvement
The adoption process is straightforward. One can start by visiting a shelter or checking online for dogs in need of homes. Once you’ve picked the dog, the shelter guides you through the necessary paperwork and other formalities.
Adoption is not the only way to help. There are other ways that people are contributing.
Volunteering is a great way to begin. Helping at shelters, fostering dogs, contributing to awareness campaigns etc. can be a great way to help. Advocacy for better animal welfare policies, social media campaigns, organizing fundraisers can be effective in creating a better support system for the dogs.
Getting involved with animal welfare organizations and NGOs can extend one’s impact even further.
Here are a few organizations one can connect with:
○ CUPA Adoption Center: cupaindia.org
(Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) CUPA is an organization that works with multiple diverse causes associated with animal welfare, including adoption.
They take volunteers and interns as well.
They also have a system of passive adoption that allows you to sponsor monthly expenses for food and medical care for an animal while it stays at the shelter.
○ Voice of Stray Dogs (VOSD): vosd.in
VOSD is another significant organization in Bengaluru that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and care of stray dogs.
They offer various ways to get involved, from donations to volunteering.
Whether through direct adoption, fostering, volunteering or your advocacy, community involvement can help improve the lives of street dogs. I don't know if Church Street doggo found a home, but there are plenty of dogs like him that need all the help they can get.
While the challenges faced by street dogs are significant, the growing trend of adoption and the active involvement of the community offer a hopeful path forward. As more people recognize the value of adopting street dogs and giving them a home, it will make a tangible difference to the lives of the dogs as well as the city itself.
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