Don’t buy dogs, adopt strays, city shelter urges residents

NASHIK: Animal activists have been encouraging citizens to adopt stray dogs not just to minimise the menace they end up making on the city streets, but also because the Indian breeds adapt better to their surroundings, are stronger and make good guards. But in the past four years, only 10 dogs have been adopted from Sharan, a city-based shelter for stray animals.
While some citizens feed the stray dogs in their locality, they end up bearing the brunt of the neighbours. Then there are some dog lovers who have adopted pedigree dogs rejected by their owners due to some illness.
“In the past 4-5 years, only 10 dogs have been adopted from our shelter. Adopting stray dogs will help control their population and check the spread of rabies,” said Sharanya Shetty, the founder of Sharan. Dhangiri, an Indian furry dog, is often reared for guarding the farms and looks good s well, she said.
Shridevi Chaphekar has never bought a dog; she has always chosen to adopt Indian stray dogs from Sharan. A look at the five Indian breed dogs of hers would confuse many — at first look, these well-reared canines look as elegant as their foreign counterparts.
“Stray dogs or Indian pariahs are the best for adoption as they are well acclimatised for our weather conditions. They give the same amount of love and loyalty as the pedigree dogs. They are low on maintenance in terms of veterinary care, medicines and dog food. I have adopted five stray dogs whom I look after — right from feeding them, to vaccinating and sterilising them as well,” she said.
A fortnight back, when eight-month-old Bruzo’s owners decided that they did not want him anymore, they approached the animal shelter. The dog was aggressive and since the owners were a working couple they could not afford to take care of it.
“They did not even want it. So I decided to adopt it,” said Sameer Kedar.
Teju Soloman, another dog lover, has adopted a mix breed and has been caring for the dog like her own child for the last five years.
“Bringing her home was like welcoming a new baby. When we brought her she was fin, but 4-5 months ago, she got hurt in the leg. We tried everything to treat her but she continued to limp. But we didn’t abandon her. Recently, my sister-in-law delivered a baby girl and during her baptism my mother-in-law suggested the name of our pet for the baby — Pearl,” said Teju.
Shridevi said that if every home adopted one stray dog from their locality, the city streets would be free of strays. “Be compassionate towards stray dogs. Please don’t shop, adopt. I have never bought a dog,” said Shridevi.