International Dog Day 2025: Why these Mumbaikars continue to keep street dogs happy and healthy

Learn to coexistMy father began feeding strays around my society in Kalyan back in 2020 It was when one of the dogs picked up a contagious disease that we realised how few resources there were in the neighbourhood As a Law student I have been observing the ongoing issue with care I think it comes down to a lack of empathyRegular vaccination of strays can mitigate the risk of diseases Pics CourteysTanishi MasandSadly people view them strays as separate from their own societies Dogs are territorial by nature so to move them to a faraway shelter complicates matters further Lack of information and awareness also fans the mistrust furtherTanishi Masand animal feeder founder of Paw Diaries KalyanEducation is keyI grew up around animals and fed them out of passion and love There has been a change in perception in recent years People have begun to view indies as lsquodirtyrsquo and want them off the streets in front of their homes These animals were born and grew up in these lanes much before we arrived It always amazes me that indies recognise intent in people almost instinctively Moreover they are part of a natural ecosystem mdash from preventing the explosion of rodent population to guarding against strangers The issues stem from a lack of empathy and awareness But I understand that it cannot be at the cost of human lives This is where animal lovers have to step in as facilitators and become educatorsVijay Mohanani founder Bombay Animal Rights NGOTeach empathyMy journey to building the Pawfriendrsquos QR Code started five years ago when a neighbourhood indie I was feeding went missing I spent a few weeks in anxiety Dogs are territorial but they are vulnerable and terrified when they are lost The clashes with street dogs often happen because of such incidents I created the QR Code because it allowed us to track and keep an eye on our indiesrsquo safely while building a database of the number and species In fact Article 51 A g of the Constitution states that it is a fundamental duty of every Indian citizen to protect improve and be compassionate to the natural environment This includes stray dogs in your neighbourhood We have to collectively teach young children the need for empathy towards animals and also inculcate a love for nature It is important to teach them the right ways to interact with the animals and befriend themAkshay Ridlan founder PawfriendinStray animals are our responsibilityWe have been running a pet ambulance service in Mumbai for the last 20 years It has been a family enterprise in that way Caring for the animals trees birds and rivers around us is the responsibility of the citizen and thereby the government As human beings we are animal lovers by nature I Call them my babies because of their nature It does not take much to care for an animal They are simple creatures but they can be far more loyal than us Over the years I have never faced an issue with them They always recognise when you are offering to help them Rahul Pandurang Pashupathe Trimurti Paws ambulance serviceConduct regular outreach programmesThe issue is a complex one and requires study The control of population and their aggression is down to the lack of inoculation and sterilisation Unfortunately that has not been happening on a regular basis and the onus has come on to the animal lovers A practical solution is for feeders and animal lovers to build a rapport with your Municipal Corporation or local representativesRoshan Pathak animal rights advisor PAL FoundationSolutions from the groundAn indie enjoys its meal1 If you wish to help pick a regular feeding time Once the dogs grow familiar they will calm down and gather 2 Coordinate with NGOs municipal corporations or veterinarians to vaccinate and sterilise strays in your neighbourhood It prevents the risk of rabies and will nullify any aggression3 Keep an eye out on behavioural patterns and changes and inform vets or NGOs4 Conduct regular outreach programmes in the neighbourhood bringing together animal behaviouristsNGOs and Municipal Corporations to find common ground5 Promote adopting stray dogs It will ensure rehoming of the strays and also change perceptions6 Coordinate with municipal departments to maintain a database of the indies in your street7 Educate children on empathy and kind behaviour8 Be aware of NGOs and helplines in your neighbourhoodHelplinesgtgt The Welfare of Stray DogsCall 8976022838gtgt The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals BSPCACall 9372787750 Main officegtgt YODACall 8899997704gtgt My Shelter for Strays BadlapurCall 9359259447gtgt Paw Diaries KalyanLog on to teampawdiariesgtgt Trimurti Paws AmbulanceCall 9833666616gtgt Pawfriends QR Code tagsLog on to pawfriendingtgt PAL FoundationCall 8424032020gtgt Utkarsh BhandupCall 8976925958