He Left His Job To Rescue Animals, Help Sajesh Take Care of 750+ In Need

“I saw dogs with rods inserted, dogs run over by vehicles and left to die, pups with acid burns...heartbreaking! It’s true that ALAI came into being because of passion. But what keeps it going now is the realization that, if there are humans out there who are so ready to harm these animals, there should be an equal number of humans who will care for them and heal them. And as long as I’m alive, this will be my purpose.” - Sajesh, Founder, ALAI Rescue

Founded by Sajesh in the year 2017, Animal Lives are Important (ALAI) is an animal rescue and rehabilitation shelter in Bangalore, that serves the sick, injured, elderly, and differently-abled dogs and other street animals. 

It all started when Sajesh found a 20-day-old puppy with acid burns

Sajesh had started rescue operations as early as January 2017. But when he rescued a pup with most of his little back severely burnt and his muscles exposed, no shelters or hospitals took him in. He took the pup home, named him Blacky, and cared for him. And when Blacky began to grow, Sajesh rented a small patch of land just for the pup to recover, and ALAI came into being. 

“We weren’t just rescuing animals anymore. We were treating them at our own facility, and helping them recover. Some didn’t recover well enough to be dropped back to where they came from. They needed lifetime care. So, what started off as a safe space for one pup went on to become a shelter for 70+ dogs in no time. But somehow, it wasn’t enough. There were many more animals out there that needed us. So, we quit our corporate careers, my wife Skyla and I decided to dedicate our lives to these animals, and ALAI became bigger.” - Sajesh, Founder, ALAI Rescue

ALAI has rescued 15,000 dogs since 2017, and is now home to 750+ animals

ALAI has dedicated shelters for every dog. Wrinkle Hub for 93 old dogs. Spine Unit for 42 dogs with permanent spinal injuries. 98 dogs live in the Trauma Unit and receive extra love. 71 dogs are spread across half an acre, in what must be India’s largest Distemper Unit. And there’s a unit for the 91 dogs that are still too scared of humans. ALAI is also home to rescued cats, sheep, goats, pigs, and cows. But, Sajesh still feels it’s not enough. 

“Once, by chance, I saw a helpless dog fully covered by ants. He was being eaten alive, and he didn’t have the energy to move, or bark. What if I hadn’t seen him? Of the 60-70 calls we receive each day, we are able to rescue only 4 dogs with our team. What happens to the rest, I don’t know! All I know is that, for now, I have to give my everything to the animals at my shelter…to ensure they receive the best care…”

Caring for 750+ animals isn’t easy, and ALAI needs your help to keep going