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Hi Fellow Dog-lovers,
I have been looking after dogs outside my former workplace in Noida for the last two and a half years. I started out by feeding 2 dogs but the number has steadily grown to close to 50 hungry souls! The first 2 dogs I took in were on the brink of death; only skin and bones! Since the dogs are located in an industrial sector of Noida, there are limited food sources nearby.
Unfortunately, I am studying overseas and I urgently need money to cover the food and medical costs-- ANY amount is helpful!
I have hired two men to do all the feeding, assist with vaccinations, transport dogs to the vet, and provide treatment where the dogs live. These hardworking people have made my life significantly easier but unfortunately, this also costs a pretty penny. I pay them Rs. 24,900 per month to cook, travel (from Delhi-Noida), and feed my 50 dogs.
I have hired two men to do all the feeding, assist with vaccinations, transport dogs to the vet, and provide treatment where the dogs live. These hardworking people have made my life significantly easier but unfortunately, this also costs a pretty penny. I pay them Rs. 24,900 per month to cook, travel (from Delhi-Noida), and feed my 50 dogs.
Therefore, one can sponsor a dog for a whole month for just Rs. 500!
Food: The dogs are fed a mixture of rice, chicken, and vegetables.The rice we use costs between Rs. 24-25 a kg and the monthly requirement is 250 kg. Just the cost of rice itself ranges between Rs. 6000-6250. To minimize cruelty, no additional chickens are harmed. Instead, we have struck a deal with a butcher to use chicken scraps--perfectly healthy an edible, just less picture-perfect. The food is freshly prepared every morning and transported on a bike.
In the last 2.5 years, the dogs have not gone hungry on even a single occassion- come blistering heat or flood!
In the last 2.5 years, the dogs have not gone hungry on even a single occassion- come blistering heat or flood!
In addition to providing food the dogs are sterilized, vaccinated, transported to a vet, put in foster care if they are very sick, etc., all of which costs a significant amount of money. These costs can oscillate between Rs. 2,000 per month to Rs. 10,000 per month. I have explained below about why I chose a more holistic (and complicated) approach to the welfare of the dogs, rather than just focusing on feeding.
Vaccination and Deworming: No matter how well-nourished a puppy or dog may be, it is essential to provide timely vaccination and deworming. Without this, dogs fall prey to preventable diseases and oftentimes, they only show symptoms when it is too late. Puppies are more susceptible to certain diseases such as parvovirus, coronavirus, and distemper. These diseases are very, very difficult to treat once they set in and the survival rate is quite low. However, the good news is that they are preventable through timely vaccination!
Another very important benefit of vaccination is to control rabies, a fatal virus that can spread to humans through contact with a rabid dog's saliva- usually transmitted through a dog bite. Unvaccinated dogs are susceptible to rabies, endangering both, the humans and dogs around them. Vaccination is the only way to keep both dogs and humans safe from rabies.
Deworming is absolutely essential, too. Puppies are more susceptible to parasitic infections since they tend to put anything and everything into their mouths. Worms hamper a puppy’s growth and can also be passed on from a mother to her puppies, which is why it is important to regularly deworm both, adult dogs and puppies. Additionally, worms are quite easily passed on to humans who come in contact with the dogs. In my absence, the dogs and pups are immunized and dewormed on site by a paraveterinarian who has been helping me for the last 4 years.
6-in-1 vaccination- Rs. 300
Deworming- free for puppies, between Rs. 80-100 per adult dog, per dose.
(The above costs are one-time costs. Just like humans, dogs and puppies need booster shots and regular deworming).
Sterilization: This is the only humane way to curb the dog population. Both males and females I take care of are sterilized when they reach 6 months of age.Simply feeding and vaccinating dogs is not beneficial to the dog population unless they are sterilized as well. Well-fed, vaccinated dogs can populate a neighborhood rather quickly! Fewer litters means fewer tragic road accidents, fewer complaints from those not fond of dogs, and fewer chances of human-dog conflict. Additionally, unneutered males tend to display more aggressive/pack behaviours, which are often resolved once the dog is sterilized since they no longer produce testosterone. Spaying females prevents them from developing uterine, ovarian, and mammary cancer, as well as in preventing pregnancies.
Since January 2019, I have had 10 dogs sterilized at a private clinic for Rs. 2,000 (total Rs. 20,000), which includes the surgery, an anti-rabies vaccine, and post-op care.
In July 2019, I will send another 8 dogs. Fortunately, this will only amount to Rs. 1,000 per dog (because of an ongoing sterilization drive) but it still puts an additional strain of Rs. 8,000.
Emergencies:
Since most of my dogs live on a busy street, the most common type of injury is due to road accidents. The injuries can range from scratches to fractures, and sometimes even paralysis. Long-term care is totally worth it but it comes at a price.
Additionally, these dogs live near open drains, a huge source of infection. Even a 5-day course of antibiotics costs anywhere between Rs. 1500 - Rs. 2000 because I need to transport the dogs to a private clinic (Vets n Pets, Noida or to a clinic in New Delhi) where they are given the medications by injection- the fastest and most effective way to ensure recovery.
Puppies with parvovirus, distemper, etc, also require long-term care. Besides the expensive bloodwork required to confirm these diseases, long-term medication does not come cheap and costs can vary greatly based on the stage of the disease. This is the most difficult aspect to account for, as it is entirely unpredictable. However, on an average, my veterinary bills come to Rs. 2,000 per month. Sometimes, I have to keep a dog in a medical boarding where the prices can range from Rs.300-600 per day.
I hope you will consider donating to this cause. I hope that this encourages you and your loved ones to do the same for the dogs, cats and birds in your neighbourhood, as well.
Let’s make this world a better place, one happy, well-fed animal at a time!
Thank you for reading!
Sterilization: This is the only humane way to curb the dog population. Both males and females I take care of are sterilized when they reach 6 months of age.Simply feeding and vaccinating dogs is not beneficial to the dog population unless they are sterilized as well. Well-fed, vaccinated dogs can populate a neighborhood rather quickly! Fewer litters means fewer tragic road accidents, fewer complaints from those not fond of dogs, and fewer chances of human-dog conflict. Additionally, unneutered males tend to display more aggressive/pack behaviours, which are often resolved once the dog is sterilized since they no longer produce testosterone. Spaying females prevents them from developing uterine, ovarian, and mammary cancer, as well as in preventing pregnancies.
Since January 2019, I have had 10 dogs sterilized at a private clinic for Rs. 2,000 (total Rs. 20,000), which includes the surgery, an anti-rabies vaccine, and post-op care.
In July 2019, I will send another 8 dogs. Fortunately, this will only amount to Rs. 1,000 per dog (because of an ongoing sterilization drive) but it still puts an additional strain of Rs. 8,000.
Emergencies:
Since most of my dogs live on a busy street, the most common type of injury is due to road accidents. The injuries can range from scratches to fractures, and sometimes even paralysis. Long-term care is totally worth it but it comes at a price.
Additionally, these dogs live near open drains, a huge source of infection. Even a 5-day course of antibiotics costs anywhere between Rs. 1500 - Rs. 2000 because I need to transport the dogs to a private clinic (Vets n Pets, Noida or to a clinic in New Delhi) where they are given the medications by injection- the fastest and most effective way to ensure recovery.
Puppies with parvovirus, distemper, etc, also require long-term care. Besides the expensive bloodwork required to confirm these diseases, long-term medication does not come cheap and costs can vary greatly based on the stage of the disease. This is the most difficult aspect to account for, as it is entirely unpredictable. However, on an average, my veterinary bills come to Rs. 2,000 per month. Sometimes, I have to keep a dog in a medical boarding where the prices can range from Rs.300-600 per day.
Research has shown that if dogs are healthy and well-fed, they are much less likely to cause trouble. Often when I am feeding the dogs or having them vaccinated, strangers come up to me and share stories of their own interactions with dogs, or, express concern for the dogs; this really warms my heart. So many people have helped out in different ways- from coordinating sterilization drives, donating winter coats, sending funds, and even holding my hand at the vet’s clinic. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my community.
A lot of us love dogs but are unable to keep them within our homes for various reasons. However, we are fortunate enough to share our space with indie dogs- a beautiful, loyal, and intelligent breed that form a vital part of our ecology.
I hope you will consider donating to this cause. I hope that this encourages you and your loved ones to do the same for the dogs, cats and birds in your neighbourhood, as well.
Follow the pack on Instagram for your daily dose of cute dogs, as well as regular updates- @_pawsforaminute_ .
Let’s make this world a better place, one happy, well-fed animal at a time!
Thank you for reading!
