500+ Dogs Have Found Hope & A New Lease On Life Thanks To This Couple's Tireless Efforts

Founded in 2019 by the dynamic duo, Sarah Iyer and Gerry Gonsalves, Daaman is a testament to their unwavering dedication to rescue, rehabilitate, and redefine the lives of countless injured and abandoned animals, especially paraplegic dogs. The shelter is situated in Dietyn Karanai village near Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. 

Ask them about how they feel working for the voiceless and showering them with the love they deserve and both their faces beam with happiness. 

“Whenever you spend quality time with any animal, you have a sense of profound peace and love. There lies the magic,” - Gerry says.  

Sarah's upbringing in an animal-loving family and Gerry's early experiences with animals laid the foundation for their shared dream 

For Sarah and Gerry, the journey began with a little pup named PK, found severely injured and abandoned. As they nursed him back to health, they realised how impactful timely rescues and compassionate care can be. 

“The incident instilled a sense of passion and purpose in us and we decided to take an active part in rescuing and rehabilitating animals. Starting with a WhatsApp group of 80 dedicated members, our group rescued and rehabilitated scores of animals ranging from a small rabbit to a large horse or a donkey. People from different parts of Chennai reached out to us to help with rescues and together with a team of rescuers, we started to rehabilitate dogs at our home in Palavakkam,” - Sarah reminisces.  

Finally, an animal welfare trust by the name of Madras Animal Rescue Society was formed in 2019 and Daaman was born. Daaman, an Urdu word, not only signifies the soft pallu of a saree but embodies a haven providing comfort, care, and love. Spread across 3 lush green acres, Daaman is not just a shelter but a home for over 500 dogs, more than 120 of whom are visually challenged, old, and paraplegic. Daaman is currently the sole facility in Tamil Nadu housing the largest number of paraplegic dogs, some of whom have defied the odds and learned to walk again. 

“It was always my mother’s dream to build a dog shelter. Growing up, I saw both my aunt and my mother going to great lengths to feed a hungry animal. Most of the dogs that have come to Daaman were rescued from horrendous conditions and also from uncommon places like garbage disposals, trenches, and so on.”  

Sarah talks about Naavi, who came to Daaman when she was only 9 months old with a broken upper jaw and a severed spinal cord. Her jaws were locked in and she had to be fed with a syringe until the time her jaws could be wired together, and her spinal cord was fixed together with the help of a clip. She now spends the best time with her siblings at the shelter. From being immobile and confined to one specific place to being able to drag herself around, she has come a long way.  

To continue their noble mission, Daaman needs support from compassionate individuals like you 

Daaman's philosophy is rooted in the belief that every life deserves a fighting chance—a chance to feel valued, and loved, and to contribute meaningfully to the world. Contrary to common misconceptions, they are challenging the notion that paraplegic dogs cannot lead purposeful lives.  

“We give them nutritious meals, proper medication, and lots of love but there is so much more to do. We have rescued these dogs from terrible conditions and we know we can help many more. But your support is crucial for that.” 

Currently, they are seeking assistance for animal food, medicines, and operational expenses. This is your chance to empower paraplegic dogs to lead fulfilling lives. Every donation, no matter the size, brings Daaman one step closer to ensuring that these animals receive the love, care, and medical attention they desperately need.