On A Paw-some Mission

Madhwaraj Animal Care Trust is working tirelessly to rescue, treat, sterilise stray dogs - offering them a second chance at life

- Prakash Samaga @ Udupi

GROUP of individuals are on a mission to help man's best friend found roaming the streets of Udupi. A dedicated group of animal lovers, veterinarians, and volunteers works tirelessly to rescue, treat, and sterilize stray dogs - offering them a second chance at life.

Their work is not glamorous, but they are driven by compassion and a sense of duty.

In a move towards tackling the growing crisis of stray dog overpopulation and improving animal care, Madhwaraj Animal Care Trust, Malpe, is at the forefront in Udupi district.

For the last eight years, the trust members have alleviated the suffering of stray dogs by rescuing, treating, and sterilising them. The trust's recent project was a week-long free sterilisation camp for desi dogs at the Veterinary Hospital, Manipal, from April 8 to 13.

The trust has conducted such drives in various places like Chikkamagaluru, Madikeri, Goa, Jodhpur, Kerala, and other places in the past.

Babita Madhwaraj, founder trustee of Madhwaraj Animal Care Trust, told The New Sunday Express that local organisations and volunteers joined hands with the trust to make their mission a success.

"The plight of stray dogs sometimes will be very precarious, but once we step in, we make sure that they are in safe hands," Babita said, adding that their initiative of sterilisation promises to be a significant step in reducing the population of free-roaming dogs on the streets.

The sterilisation programme, which involves a safe and simple surgery, is designed not just to curb the numbers but to ensure that dogs live longer, healthier, and happier lives.