VADODARA, Gujarat—Humane Society International/India launched India’s first-ever directory dedicated to street dog welfare. The directory features useful information on dog welfare-focused individuals and agencies that offer services including rescue, veterinary care, transport, adoptions, treatment, rabies vaccinations, and Animal Birth Control (ABC) facilities and services.
An estimated 75 million dogs roam India’s streets, facing risks like early puppy mortality, diseases, traffic injuries, malnutrition, and cruelty due to communities’ fear of dog bites and rabies (which causes approximately 20,000 human deaths annually). The directory is key to creating a strong dog welfare network by connecting the community with multiple agencies and services committed to helping street dogs in Vadodara, saving both human and animal lives.
The event was attended by dignitaries from Vadodara Municipal Corporation VMC including the Smt. Pinkyben Nirajbhai Soni (Mayor), Shri Chiragbhai Dilipbhai Barot (Deputy Mayor), and Dr.Devesh Patel (Chief Health Officer), along with representatives of listed agencies and services. Local NGOs, volunteers and residents also participated in the event.
“There are multiple individuals and groups across the city that have joined hands with us over the years to improve street dog welfare in Vadodara. We created this directory in recognition of the need to unite these forces into a single platform accessible to all of Vadodara’s residents and thereby strengthening the street dog welfare work in the city,” says Dr. Vrushti Mawani, senior manager of Companion Animals & Engagement, HSI/India. “We plan to build similar resources for other Indian cities too,” she adds.
“The directory developed by Humane Society International/India is for everyone who wants to improve the lives of street dogs but feels helpless due to lack of access to the right network,” says Rashmika Vaghela, Municipal Councilor, VMC.
This initiative is a part of the organization’s integrated dog management program, involving Animal Birth Control along with extensive community engagement and responsible pet ownership to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and street dogs across Vadodara. Since 2017, HSI/India, in collaboration with VMC, has sterilized and vaccinated over 44,000 dogs, marking Vadodara as the first city in India to achieve a dog sterilization rate of more than 86%.
Media contact: Shaili Shah, sshah@hsi.org ; 993-059-1005
