Tamil Nadu

A home for stray canines

Photo: M. Balaji

Sympathetic: Asha Krishnakumar at the shelter home run by her for stray dogs in Tirupur. –

Tirupur: For many homeless dogs, the two shelters provided by Asha Krishnakumar, owner of the multi-crore Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills Private Limited, on her company and farm premises situated here, has become cozy abodes.

The idea to start a ‘home for stray canines’ germinated in the compassionate mind of Ms. Krishnakumar about 18 months ago after she was moved by the sight of increasing number of sick and abused dogs in the city streets during her business trips by road.

“Though a large number of people love their pets, only very few of them are expressing their love to stray animals,” she told The Hindu.

At present, the two shelters have a population of about 40 dogs, ranging from pups to fully grown country dogs, Labrador and mongrels.

Most of them were brought to the shelter by herself, colleagues, friends and passersby, either in injured or in unhealthy conditions. A few ones raised in the domestic households, too could be found abandoned at the shelter, since their handlers had deserted the lovely creatures.

Once ‘enrolled,’ the dogs were provided utmost care at the shelter by a team of dedicated dog-loving volunteers working under the direct supervision of Ms Krishnakumar. A resident veterinarian has been appointed by her to provide round-the-clock medical attention to the canines.

“We give the ‘inmates’ requisite quantity of milk, eggs, fish and specially prepared food (pedigree) enriched with vitamins and other nutrients, besides vaccination as prescribed by the veterinarian,” said Ms. Krishnakumar.

Emphasising the importance of adoption of homeless animals, Ms. Krishnakumar appeals to the public to come forward and adopt the dogs at the shelter and give them a good home.

Those interested to adopt the dogs could contact the veterinarian, Dr. Aranaganathan (telephone: 99769-69314).

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