Share
“A lot of people around me often tell me, ‘Kaveri, don’t you think whatever you’re doing isn’t even a drop in the ocean? So what if you’ve saved ten lives, there are hundreds more who are dying.’ A simple point that occurs to me when someone asks me something like this is, ‘What about the dog whose life I saved? Do you think his life doesn’t matter?’ It will not change the world if you change the life of an animal. But for that animal, you will change their world.” - Kaveri Bharadwaj, founder, Sophie Memorial Animal Relief Trust
The saying goes, ‘Dogs are a man’s best friend’. But Sophie, a rescue dog, was so beloved that she was more family than friend. Sophie was Kaveri Rana Bharadwaj’s “first pet daughter”, who succumbed to a disease at 12 years old and left a permanent paw print on her dog mother’s heart. Devastated at her loss, Kaveri looked for ways to fill the void that her dear Sophie had left in her life. She realised that doing something meaningful gave her the strength to cope, and that ‘something meaningful’ was rescuing helpless and disabled dogs.
Kaveri had always been rescuing helpless animals, but it only became a full-time job after Sophie’s passing in 2017. Soon she co-founded Sophie Memorial Animal Relief Trust with her husband, Yashraj Bhardwaj, as a living tribute to Sophie. Since then, the couple have dedicated their lives to rescue and treat injured dogs, and built a forever home in Greater Noida, the SMART Sanctuary, which cares for over 120 dogs, while also being a private trust working for the betterment of sick animals.
SMART Sanctuary focuses on old dogs and dogs with all kinds of disabilities, who otherwise face a brutal and tough life on the streets. From neurological issues and spinal injuries to paralysis and mobility issues, they rescue and shelter them all. Dogs who come here are evaluated by specialists and started on whatever therapy is needed, be it hydrotherapy, acupuncture or good old-fashioned physical therapy to help them recover.
“I have seen dogs with a broken back, lying on the streets for days. I have seen dogs in the worst conditions get rescued, and when given love, turn into miracle stories. Half of these dogs here are paralysed or disabled, while the rest of them are old. We have made life better for these animals. These dogs may be broken in body, but not in spirit and they all deserve as much chance to live a happy and abundant life as us.” - Kaveri
Kaveri and Yashraj had committed their efforts towards building a forever home for these voiceless animals. Pre-COVID, the SMART Sanctuary operated from piece of land that the couple had leased. They put in all their time and money into its construction,so these disabled dogs would have safe haven to live and thrive in. Unfortunately, the owner of the land ended up selling it, forcing Kaveri and Yashraj to continue operating their Sancturay from a small piece of remaining land, that is not sufficient to house their furry babies.
However, this was only a small setback in their journey and they refused to give up. Thus, started the search for a land more suitable for building a forever home for these loveable creatures. They were limited by either very expensive land, resources or the indescive weather. But eventually, their prayers were answered when a local real estate dealer offered them a piece of land in Uttarakhand that was just perfect!
Now, the couple is focused on turning their dream into a reality. While their rented unit of SMART in Greater Noida is operational and they have rescued as many as 150 dogs as of now, they have also begun working on setting up the Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. The construction of the ground floor of the shelter in Uttarakhand is complete, and they aim to construct the first floor which will accomodate around 100 animals.
Kaveri and Yashraj's furry babies are gradually being moved to the newly-built shelter, and the couple is eager to get back to their noble calling - rescue and rehabilitate more such disabled dogs that need them. There is still a long way to go until the shelter is fully up and running in its new location, where they intend to accomodate at least 250 disabled animals. The further construction and completion of the new unit, with the amenities they require to care for their four-legged residents, will cost about INR 22 lakhs. This is where they need your help.
Your support and contributions in helping build this shelter will not only help Kaveri to keep doing what she does, but will be giving so many permanently disabled dogs, a chance to live out their lives surrounded by love and happiness.
