Victims Of Deadly Accidents, These Paralyzed Dogs Have Found A Loving Home Thanks To Harendra

"After graduating from college and securing my first job, all I could dream of was owning a bike. I diligently saved every rupee, and when I finally bought my bike, it felt like I was on the path to making all my dreams come true. But life has a way of revealing your true purpose, often when you least expect it. What I once believed was my calling, turned out to be a means to realising my true purpose - rescuing paralyzed dogs. And my life has never been the same since then.”

Harendra Singh recalls the day he stopped by a petrol station after a solo ride. He saw a dog sitting nearby, whose hind legs seemed weak. For days he would feed him, hoping that it would make a difference and improve the dog’s condition. But soon after, the dog passed away. Paralyzed from the waist below, the dog had lost all muscle in his hind legs, was all bones, and eventually died of external bleeding. Harendra was shocked. He soon realised that only timely medical treatment could have given this dog a second chance.

Harendra’s Life Now Revolves Around The 100 Dogs At His Shelter

That incident completely changed Harendra’s outlook on life. Once focused on personal achievements, he decided to dedicate his whole life to rescuing and caring for paralyzed and challenged dogs. It’s been over four years since he started his NGO Voice of Stray Animals in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh and Harendra has rescued over 400 paralyzed dogs.

“We currently have 100 dogs at our shelter, almost all of whom are paralyzed. 98% of paralyzed dogs are in that condition because of accidents caused by speeding vehicles and lack of timely medical treatment. When people are driving and they hit a dog, they immediately drive away, not caring for the life of this innocent animal. But dogs suffer and feel pain just like we do, if not more. Many of them are left to die on the side of the road.”

Paralyzed dogs need to be looked after with utmost care, and at the shelter, they’re given the love they truly deserve. Dogs from Delhi, Noida, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and other areas have all found a safe home here, with many of them even recovering after their accident. Harendra looks after their medical treatment and ensures these dogs get wheelchairs so that they’re comfortable and can stay active. 

“It’s so hard to think of just one story that has left an impact on me. All the dogs that I have come across in my life, have a place in my heart. When I started the shelter, I knew very little about caring for these animals, but I’ve spent time and effort learning about everything they need. Most people say that paralyzed dogs should be euthanized, what they don’t know is that with love and care, these dogs can have a great life. The 400 dogs we have saved so far are proof of that.” 

Though he has a small business of his own, Harendra spends all his time at the shelter. These dogs are his life, and now he needs your support to look after them. 

Increasing Medical Expenses Have Left Him Struggling And Worried 

While a portion of the donations that Voice Of Stray Animals receives is through donors, a majority of the expenses are looked after by Harendra himself. 

“But since we don’t have an x-ray machine, we have to hire an ambulance and take the rescued dogs to Meerut, Delhi, or any nearby city that has the resources required. And that increases our medical expenses. The medications and treatment required are also expensive, and if we don’t get help, it could restrict us from being able to take in more dogs. I don’t want to turn any dog away, and I need your help to continue looking after them.”