A Better Life For India's Stray Animals

Dear supporters, Namaste, Vanakkam, Sasriyakal. 

As the year draws to a close, it's a time of reflection and gratitude for our organization's significant strides. In 2023, our organization achieved remarkable milestones, including the opening of a new clinic, computerization of our shelter, and the initiation of in-house sterilizations bolstered by the addition of a hematology machine. A significant highlight was the successful relocation of 12 Indian street dogs to the USA, with 9 already adopted into loving homes and 3 awaiting adoption. Looking ahead to 2024, we plan to transport 7 more dogs to the USA. Our dedicated team of 20, spanning veterinary, shelter, cruelty prevention, and adoption departments, has been instrumental in these accomplishments, setting the stage for continued growth and impact on animal welfare.

"India's Stray Animal Statistics": A Closer Look"

80 Million Stray dogs & cats living on India's streets
8.8 Million Strays in India's shelters and running out of space
9.1 Million Stray cats
2 Million Cattle amble in India's streets
50% Pet relinquishment rate
80% of People think street dogs should be removed
20,000 Human Rabies deaths
17.4 million dog bites

WHO ARE WE
SAFI is a 501(c)3 charitable organization headquartered in the United States, founded by Ujwala Chintala in Florida, with a mission to advocate for the welfare of animals in India. Our primary focus is shelter, sterilization, and anti­ animal cruelty initiatives, aiming to establish a robust and compassionate animal welfare network in Hyderabad, India. We work to provide the development of shelter infrastructure, veterinary care, supplies, educational resources, guidance, and a dedicated workforce.

India's considerable population of stray and abandoned animals living in difficult conditions, lacking access to even basic care, food, and shelter. SAFI recognizes the pressing need to improve these vulnerable animals' lives and strives to create lasting change by enhancing animal welfare infrastructure and providing the necessary resources and knowledge.


WHAT WE DO

SAFl'S PROGRAMS:
Rescue & Rehabilitation 
Spay & Neuter
Local Adoptions International Adoptions
Sanctuary
Humane Education
Vaccinations
Animal cruelty counseling

SAFI was founded in 2020 with the goal of providing a safe haven for animals. We started from a foster home to a shelter and sanctuary with 130 Dogs, cats, cows, buffaloes, and goats.
SAFI is staffed with two Veterinarians, two veterinary technicians, and 16 more staff members. SAFI provides first-class care for animals in need, and our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care for each and every animal.

WHY HYDERABAD?

Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana, is a city rich in culture and history. Batukamma, Deepavali and Ganesh Chaturthi are prominent vibrant festivals. The top attractions include the iconic Charminar, the Golkonda Fort, and the culturally rich Shilparamam. The city is renowned for its delectable cuisine, with dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani, ldli, and dosa served with chutneys and sambar.

Hyderabad is known for its opulent weddings and grand celebrations, and this extravagance often coexists with poverty. The city, like many others in India, faces economic disparities, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line.

Hyderabad, like much of India, grapples with the challenge of providing care and refuge for sick, injured, and hungry animals, highlighting the importance of animal welfare programs and rescue organizations in the region. The city's stray animal population is in dire need of welfare initiatives.

Our History

2014: The founder experienced abuse of street animals in India in her trip.

2016: Ujwala's daughter always wanted a dog. Instead of adopting, she decided to foster dogs from rural shelters in

Florida, USA.

2020: Determined to make a difference in Indian street animal lives, Ujwala decided to start an organization dedicated to helping these animals. Lockdown feeding, rescue, vaccinations, adoptions, release, and sterilizations started.

2021: A 1/4 acre shelter with 25 kennels, four indoor rooms, and a container home is built to accommodate 50 dogs.

2022: 1/2 acre extended to shelter. Large Sanctuary, puppy & senior sections, disease isolation area, clinic, cow area, sterilization kennels, recovery rooms etc. Veterinary, cruelty, and adoption departments were added. 

2023: ln house Clinic added. A blood hematology machine was purchased. 12 dogs traveled to the USA for adoption.

Our 2024 goals are

Increase sterilizations to 200 per month.
Expand the education program to include more schools, universities, and residential associations.
Increase adoptions of Indian breed dogs.
Equip the clinic with a portable X-ray machine.
A second ambulance for sterilizations.
Train and enhance surgical expertise among our in-house veterinarians.
Equip the clinic with state-of-the-art surgical equipment.

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2023 

Following relentless fundraising efforts, the procurement of essential medications, computer equipment, supplies, and training of our veterinary team for sterilization procedures, we are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our clinic.
Thanks to supporters, we were able to purchase computers and a CBC hematology machine that enables us to conduct in-house testing for 29 blood parameters. This means we can now quickly and accurately diagnose and treat the dogs. In India, 95% of street dogs are anemic, 70% have low platelets, and 90% have ticks and fleas, causing skin issues and life-threatening tick fever.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS IN 2023

TRANSCONTINENTAL TALES: FROM INDIAN STREETS TO AMERICAN HEARTS

FROM INDIAN STREETS TO TEXAS RODEO STAR
Barfi, an Indian street dog, was found at just a month old with a broken jaw and no mother to be found. After recovery, his journey took a turn when he was adopted in Texas, USA, who recognized his inner beauty.

KEN AND BARBIE'S FURRY ADDITION
Funny, as cute as can be, was rescued two years ago with a severely broken leg in India. Thanks to the efforts of Misplaced Mutts Rescue, Funny has found his forever home in North Carolina with a loving nurse and her family who welcomed him with open arms despite his tripod status.

FROM PARALYZED TO PAMPERED
Lakshmi found her fairy tale ending in Salt Lake City, USA. As a paralyzed stray from India, her prospects were bleak. Adoption offers were scarce until the couple extraordinary act of compassion. Now, Lakshmi revels in a life filled with sledding in the snow, sunbathing, and RV vacations to Canada.

CHIKKl'S AMERICAN DREAM
Chikki, born on the streets into a highly discriminated breed and with a visible deformity, her adoption prospects in India seemed bleak. However, a compassionate couple in Boston, USA, stepped forward to adopt Chikki. Now, Chikki lives with his fur brother Bali, filled with love.

SURVIVING AGAINST ALL ODDS
Babu underwent a miraculous transformation from hospice care to a beloved family member. Found with a traumatic head injury, Babu's survival was uncertain. However, the dedication of a foster mom and adoption in Seattle, USA, brought Babu back from the brink.

TRIUMPH AT SEA: INDIAN STREETS TO A BEACH HOME IN THE USA
Hailing from India, tripod Cream calls a picturesque beach home in North Carolina, where adopter shower her with love. They are no strangers to the world of tripod dogs; they previously adopted another three-legged Indian dog, Indiana, from us in 2021, who is an internet star featured on The Dodo and BYU TV.

STREET SMART TO SWEETHEART
Kalu was found on the streets of India with a fractured leg. The only interested couple backed out upon seeing his shaved limb post-surgery. Kalu's journey took him all the way to North Carolina, USA, where an incredible couple saw past appearances to welcome him into their hearts and home.

LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS
Rescued at just two months old with a broken jaw, Chloe's indomitable spirit won the heart, who, after a work trip to India, decided to provide Chole with a loving home in Nashville, TN, USA. Chole's journey takes an even more melodious turn as her mom, a talented country singer, fills their home with sweet tunes.

ALPHA'S ROAD TO HAPPINESS
Born with a congenital deformity, Alpha faced immense odds and remained unadopted for over a year in India. Then a compassionate soul, stepped in to give Alpha the love and care he deserved. Today, he thrives in a spacious lakeside home filled with happiness and companionship.

A UNIQUE ADOPTION STORY!
Meet Aadi, our first rescued cow who has found his forever home. Aadi embarked on a journey from our shelter in Hyderabad to a spacious 5-acre farmhouse in Kambalapally, where he now has abundant space to graze and cow & dog friends by his side.

Aadi came to us as a young calf with a hernia, sadly discarded by the dairy industry. The hernia couldn't be fixed. We believed that our sanctuary was his forever sanctuary. To our surprise, some wonderful people have chosen to adopt him!

INFRASTRUCTURE OF SHELTER & SANCTUARY
3/4 acre spacious open place
46 kennels, six rooms, a Clinic, a waiting room, and a recovery room
Disease isolation rooms Party Area
8 Sterilization kennels
Full-fledged sanctuary Paralyzed dog area
Puppy area Senior dog area
Dog Bathing areas Owner surrenders
Mobile Container homes 8 Staff Living quarters & Restrooms
Containment phobia Kennels
Cow & goat area

Stray Animal Foundation of India works with dedicated advocates on India's front lines to make a difference for the country's most vulnerable animals.

DOGS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO THE USA.
Seven dogs are scheduled to travel to the USA in March 2024.

One of them is Raja.

ADOPT RAJA - A FRIENDLY, CUTE PUP.
At only six weeks old, Raja, the puppy, was discovered with severe skin problems. Despite making a full recovery and being a friendly companion, adoption applications were scarce due to the unfortunate curse associated with his breed. He will soon travel to the USA.

RABIES FREE INDIA VACCINATION DRIVE

Rabies is 99% Fatal and 100% Preventable through vaccination. For World Rabies Day, SAFI vaccinated 1000 street dogs. The vaccination drive focuses on dogs and human health both.
Each of our two teams has one dog catcher, a vaccinator, a record keeper, and someone to apply paint to the dog once it is vaccinated so we do not vaccinate the same dog twice.
We record how many dogs are vaccinated per area and if they have been spayed/neutered or not. The goal is to hit at least 70% of the dogs in each area. 70% is the number needed to eradicate rabies.

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