Top Animal Shelters in India

Animal shelters are an integral part of the pet landscape in India. Often NGOs and run by avid animal lovers, these shelters form crucial points of contact in the city. For instance:

• If you’ve found an abandoned or lost dog, you take them to an animal shelter.
• If you’ve lost your dog, the animal shelter is one of the first places you should look.
• If you want to spend more time with our furry friends and just give back to them, you can volunteer at the shelter.
• If you’re looking to be foster pet parent, again, a shelter will help set you up with pets that need a home.
• Looking to adopt a pet? Go to an animal shelter.

And there are many more instances we can think of. In short, if you’re a pet parent, then you should know the best animal shelters in your city. Here are the top animal shelters in the six big cities of India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai

1. PAWS – Pet Animal Welfare Society (Delhi)

PAWs has been working for the prevention of animal cruelty since 1998. Their aim is to spread awareness about the care, management and nutrition of pet and stray animals, and they run numerous medical drives and awareness drives to further their cause.

Where: C9/7, Masudpur Village, Badam Singh Market, Vasant Kunj, Delhi

2.Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (Delhi)

This is India’s oldest animal shelter, and one of the largest in Delhi. They offer a range of services, including free treatment for any street animal you rescue, and an animal cemetery – one of the only ones in Delhi!

Where: Shivaji College Rd, Shivaji Enclave, Raja Garden, New Delhi

3. YODA Rehabilitation Centre for Animals (Mumbai)

Located in Pali Hill, this animal centre offers 24/7 shelter care, pet adoption services and an ambulance service. They’re also a great place for medical care, including neutering, spaying and vaccinations.

Where: YODA Rehabilitation Centre For Animals, Huma bungalow, 50, Chuim Village Rd, Danda, Pali Hill, Mumbai

4. Save Our Strays – SOS (Mumbai)

This animal welfare NGO follows four main causes: sterilization, vaccination, animal healthcare, and adoptions. They also have a food pool programme to help strays who need extra nutrition, and an animal shelter programme.

Where: 6/101, Garden View Bldg, Off New Link Rd, opp. Deep Tower, Oshiwara, Andheri West, Mumbai

5. Charlies Animal Rescue Centre – CARE (Bangalore)

With the moto of “No Animal Left Behind”, Charlie Animal Rescue Centre aims to provide timely medical care to injured or ill animals. They’re named after Charlie, a three-legged differently abled dog who is an established figure in the field of canine therapy.

Where: Survey No. 124, Mitteganahalli Cross, Kogilu Village, Yelahanka Hobli, Bangalore North

6. CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Animals) Second Chance Adoption Centre (Bangalore)

Started by Ms Crystal Rodgers in 1991, CUPA was one of the first animal shelters in Bangalore. Now they run six centres across the city, and offer a range of services such as adoption, animal trauma rescue, animal rehabilitation, and pet cruelty inspections.

Where: 60/4, Ambalipura - Sarjapur Rd, Dommasandra, Bengaluru

7. Animal Rescue and Care (Kolkata)

This NGO aims to provide shelter and care for those animals affected by trauma and abuse. They focus on their treatment and their rehabilitation in new and loving homes. They also provide shelter for senior and differently abled street dogs.

Where: 11/4, Jyotirmoy Nagar, Thakurpukur, Kolkata

8. People for Animals (Kolkata)

People for Animals is an NGO with hospitals or units all across India, including in smaller cities. You can check out their website to see which cities have a shelter, and what services they offer.

Where: ASHARI: Animal Shelter-cum-Hospital & Research Institute, 2, Netai Nagar, Mukundapur (Near R.N. Tagore Heart Hosp.), Kolkata

9. Blue Cross (Hyderabad)

Blue Cross is a large animal shelter in Hyderabad focused on vaccinating and sterilizing animals, as well as providing medical care and shelter.

Where: Rd Number 35, Aditya Enclave, Venkatagiri, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

10. People for Animals (Hyderabad)

People for Animals focuses on animal rights and laws, and rehabilitates sick and injured strays as well as domestic animals. They also follow up on animal neglect and cruelty cases, as well as help abandoned animals find new homes.

Where: 14-7-95, Opp. Goodwill School, Near Muslim Jung Pul, Begum Bazar, Hyderabad

11. Scan Foundation (Chennai)

Scan foundation was established in 1995 and has been working to rehabilitate abandoned dogs and cats ever since. They operate all across Tamil Nadu, with multiples shelters, offices and partner NGOs. They’re a safe haven for both cats and dogs.

Where: Multiple centres across Tamil Nadu, including in Chennai

12. Animal Welfare and Protection Trust (Chennai)

This is one of Chennai’s most reputed animal shelters and NGOs. They have a fully equipped surgical centre, as well as a well-ventilated shelter that can house up to 120 animals and birds. They don’t just focus on abandoned cats and dogs, but also look to helping injured birds, rabbits, and squirrels.

Where: Dr Kalaignar Karunanidhi St, Santhosapuram, Medavakkam, Chennai